Publication:

A study on radio opaque foreign body in digestive tract of children

Background An estimated 40 percent of foreign body ingestions in children are not witnessed, and in many cases, the child never develops symptoms. Sharp foreign body, button battery must be carefully removed and followed up for any complications. Foreign bodies that have passed the gastroesophageal junction should be assured that the foreign body will probably pass through the GI tract.

Methods A retrospective analysis of the records of the children below 12 years with foreign body ingestions were analysed and the radio-opaque foreign body were included in the study period between March 2012 to March 2015. The x-ray were analysed, type of foreign body, treatment and complications were noted.

Results There were 45 children included in the study who had ingested foreign body and on radiological evaluation radio opaque foreign body was found. The coin topped the list with 30, button battery- 7 numbers, safety pin- 5 numbers. In 2 children who ingested button battery suffered cricopharyngeal stricture, which was treated with serial dilatation with bougies, while one child with open safety pin ingestion, developed pseudo- aneurysm of arch of aorta and one ear stud developed stridor with sub glottic stenosis.

Conclusions The radio opaque foreign though is easy to visualise, but in some case it can dangerous complications. Rigid oesophagoscopy and prompt removal of foreign body is the treatment of choice.