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Multiple Magnets Ingestion Followed by Intestinal Fistula With Mild Symptoms
Ryosuke Miyamoto1, Masumi Okuda1, Kenitiro Kaneko2
1Department of Pediatrics, Aichi Medical University, Nagakute City, Aichi, Japan.
Abstract:
A healthy 3-year-old boy visited our hospital because of abdominal pain and vomiting, and abdominal X-ray revealed a 10 mm non-sharp foreign body in the lower abdomen. No one had witnessed accidental ingestion. Abdominal symptoms were mild. We followed-up with abdominal X-rays, but the foreign matter did not move. His grandfather remembered that he was playing with a posting magnet. Thus, the foreign matter was considered to be multiple magnets. No foreign body was excreted by laxative administration. There was no foreign matter revealed even by the colonoscopy. Because a fistula was found in the ileum, it was diagnosed as gastrointestinal perforation. Three magnets adhered from inside the fistula were removed by emergency laparotomy surgery. The final diagnosis was ileal sigmoid fistula due to damage of the mucous membrane sandwiched between the magnets. Multiple magnet ingestion often causes gastrointestinal injury. Even if the symptoms are mild, it should be removed promptly.
Insights
Multiple magnets ingested by a child caused severe gastrointestinal injury, leading to an ileal sigmoid fistula. Prompt surgical removal is crucial, even with mild symptoms, to prevent complications from ingested magnets.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Gastroenterology
- Radiology
Background:
- Ingestion of foreign bodies in children is a common pediatric emergency.
- Magnets, particularly small, powerful ones, pose a significant risk due to their potential to attract each other across intestinal walls.
Observation:
- A healthy 3-year-old boy presented with abdominal pain and vomiting.
- Abdominal X-ray revealed a non-moving 10 mm foreign body, later identified as multiple ingested magnets.
- Despite mild symptoms, imaging and colonoscopy confirmed an ileal fistula, indicative of gastrointestinal perforation.
Findings:
- Emergency laparotomy revealed three magnets lodged within an ileal sigmoid fistula.
- The fistula was caused by mucosal damage from magnets adhering across the intestinal wall.
- Surgical removal of the magnets was successfully performed.
Implications:
- Multiple magnet ingestion can lead to severe gastrointestinal injury, including perforation and fistula formation.
- Prompt diagnosis and intervention are essential, even with subtle clinical signs.
- This case underscores the critical need for vigilance and timely management of pediatric magnet ingestion.
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