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The needle and the damage done: pericardial effusion with tamponade after needle ingestion in an infant

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 June 2009

B G Fennessy ,
R Rahbar ,
N Bunker ,
F Pigula  and
A Casta
B G Fennessy*
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology and Communication Enhancement, Children's Hospital Boston, Massachusetts, USA
R Rahbar
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology and Communication Enhancement, Children's Hospital Boston, Massachusetts, USA
N Bunker
Affiliation:
Department of Anesthesiology, Children's Hospital Boston, Massachusetts, USA
F Pigula
Affiliation:
Department of Cardiac Surgery, Children's Hospital Boston, Massachusetts, USA
A Casta
Affiliation:
Department of Anesthesiology, Children's Hospital Boston, Massachusetts, USA
*
Address for correspondence: Mr Brendan Fennessy, c/o Department of ENT, South Infirmary and Victoria Hospital, Cork City, Ireland. Fax: 00 1 353 1 824 9610 E-mail: brendanfennessy@yahoo.com
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Abstract

Objective:

Paediatric foreign bodies may present with vague and nonspecific symptoms. It is important to have a high index of suspicion when managing such cases.

Method:

We report the case of a nine-month-old infant who presented with a wheeze, cough and fever following ingestion of a needle.

Results:

This patient developed pericardial tamponade as a consequence of the needle ingestion, and required a thoracotomy for retrieval. We discuss the pathophysiology involved and the surgery required.

Conclusion:

Pericardial tamponade is a rare but potentially fatal manifestation of an ingested foreign body.

Keywords

BronchusForeign BodiesNeedleThoracotomyCardiac Tamponade
Type
Clinical Records
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 123 , Issue 12 , December 2009 , pp. 1396 - 1398
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2009

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