page_title: Endoscopic foreign body retrieval
section_title: Non-invasive testing
hierarchical_section_title: Endoscopic foreign body retrieval / Non-invasive testing
caption_attribution_description: English: Chest X-Ray of Canadian dollar coin in esophagus of child.
context_page_description: Endoscopic foreign body retrieval refers to the removal of ingested objects from the esophagus, stomach and duodenum by endoscopic techniques. It does not involve surgery, but rather encompasses a variety of techniques employed through the gastroscope for grasping foreign bodies, manipulating them, and removing them while protecting the esophagus and trachea. It is of particular importance with children, people with mental illness, and prison inmates as these groups have a high rate of foreign body ingestion.
  Commonly swallowed objects include coins, buttons, batteries, and small bones, but can include more complex objects, such as eyeglasses, spoons, and toothbrushes.
context_section_description: Prior to undertaking endoscopy, attempts should be made to locate the foreign body with x-rays or other non-invasive techniques.  For radio-opaque objects, x-rays of the neck, chest and abdomen can be used to locate the foreign body and assist endoscopy.  Alternative approaches, including the use of metal detectors, have also been described.
  X-rays are also useful for identifying the type of foreign body ingested and complications of foreign body ingestion, including mediastinitis and perforation of the esophagus.
caption: Chest X-ray showing a Canadian dollar coin in the esophagus of a young child
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