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Updated: Aug 6, 2026
Handheld Metal Detector Screening for Metallic Foreign Body Ingestion in Children
Published on: September 11, 2018
Unusual Retrieval of an Ingested Metallic Foreign Body Using a Magnetic Bridle During Microlaryngoscopy: A Case
Conlon Eoin1, Boyle Seamus2, O'Farrell Emma1
1Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery Department, St. Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
Background:
Ingested metallic foreign bodies in the aerodigestive tract often require prompt endoscopic or surgical retrieval, but visualization failures despite radiographic confirmation pose diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. This report describes a novel use of a magnetic-tipped bridle to localize and retrieve an unusual sieve-derived metal fragment during microlaryngoscopy.
Case Presentation:
A 45-year-old female presented after accidentally swallowing a small piece of metal from a kitchen sieve. Plain X-ray confirmed a 2 cm linear radiopaque foreign body in the upper aerodigestive tract. Flexible nasendoscopy and initial microlaryngoscopy failed to visualize it. During microlaryngoscopy under general anesthesia, a bridle nasogastric tube with distal magnet was advanced trans orally; magnetic attraction to the laryngeal sidewall enabled precise localization and atraumatic retrieval without complications. The patient was discharged the next day with no sequelae.
Conclusions:
Magnetic bridle-assisted microlaryngoscopy offers a safe, innovative adjunct for radiopaque metallic foreign bodies occult to direct visualization, avoiding rigid endoscopy or open surgery. This technique repurposes standard NG securement tools effectively in ENT practice.
