Fatal complication from an alkaline battery foreign body in the esophagus

Foreign bodies and alkali burns in the trachea and esophagus are potentially fatal. Some camera batteries contain 45% potassium hydroxide electrolyte which can leak and cause liquification necrosis upon tissue contact. This report describes a case of an alkali battery foreign body in the esophagus with a subsequent fatal course which was masked by steroid therapy. A discussion of corrosive burns of the esophagus, their etiology, clinical course and pathology is presented.