Button battery in the nose--an unusual foreign body

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Pediatric Emergency Medicine
• Foreign Body Ingestion/Inhalation

Background:

• Button battery foreign bodies in the pediatric airway present unique risks.
• Nasal foreign bodies, while common, can lead to significant morbidity if not promptly managed.

Observation:

• Two similar cases of button battery impaction in the nasal cavity of young Caucasian males are detailed.
• The presentation and initial management of these rare pediatric nasal foreign bodies are described.

Findings:

• Button batteries in the nose can cause rapid mucosal damage and potential cartilage erosion.
• Delayed diagnosis and treatment correlate with increased risk of septal perforation and chronic sinusitis.

Implications:

• Highlights the critical need for heightened clinical suspicion for button battery nasal foreign bodies.
• Emphasizes the importance of timely endoscopic removal and follow-up to mitigate long-term sequelae.
• Underscores the necessity of parental education regarding the dangers of small disc batteries.