Esophageal foreign bodies,ស្លាក់ឆ្អឹង
Channel: HPRV By Dr Chor Ath
Date: 2017-10-04

Dr Chor Ath Esophageal foreign bodies are a common and potentially serious cause of morbidity and mortality in children, especially those younger than 3 years old. Frequently, the history is documented only in retrospect. The clinical diagnosis of occult esophageal foreign bodies, however, can be difficult. Usually, the gastrointestinal symptoms predominate in foreign body retentions for short durations, while respiratory symptoms are more prevalent in longer retentions. In this case, the boy came with cervical pain, an unusual symptom.

The most commonly retained esophageal foreign body in infants and children are coins. Food is less common. Diagnosis and treatment are usually straightforward. Because foreign bodies impacted in the upper or midesophagus have little prospect of passing spontaneously, instrumentation should be pursued immediately (endoscopy).

Complications of retained esophageal foreign bodies that are primarily related to perforation of the esophagus by the foreign body include mediastinitis, esophagus-to-airway fistulas, and esophagus-to-vascular fistulas.

Reference

Macpherson RI, Hill JG, Othersen HB, Tagge EP, Smith CD. Esophageal foreign bodies in children: Diagnosis, treatment, and complications. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 1996;166(4):919-924.