Removal of an esophageal foreign body using a Foley catheter

A two-year-old child presented with dysphagia due to a coin lodged in his mid-esophagus. It was removed by passing a Foley catheter beyond the foreign object, inflating the balloon and slowly withdrawing the catheter. A similar technique using a pediatric Foley catheter can remove smooth-surfaced foreign bodies from the nose. A review of the methods and indications for the procedures suggests their usefulness in emergency department practice.