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Oesophageal foreign body: an unusual presentation

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 December 2013

M Oyewole*
Affiliation:
Department of Surgery, Hillingdon Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Uxbridge, UK
O Ajayi
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Ipswich Hospital, UK
A Hilger
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Ipswich Hospital, UK
*
Address for correspondence: Dr M Oyewole, Department of Surgery, Hillingdon Hospital, Pield Heath Rd, Uxbridge UB8 3NN, UK Fax: 0208 534 7951 E-mail: molola.oyewole@doctors.org.uk

Abstract

Objective:

This paper describes and discusses the case of an oesophageal foreign body, in which the patient presented with primarily respiratory clinical signs.

Case report:

A 17-month-old child, who had ingested a watch battery, presented to emergency services on multiple occasions with upper respiratory tract symptoms. Subsequent radiographs showed the battery in the oesophagus impinging on the trachea. The battery was removed successfully under a general anaesthetic.

Conclusion:

Large oesophageal foreign bodies can impinge on the trachea causing upper respiratory tract signs. In such cases, anteroposterior and lateral chest films are imperative to make a correct diagnosis.

Type
Clinical Records
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2013 

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References

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