Citation

Dawe N, Puvanendran M, Flood L. J. Laryngol. Otol. 2013; 127(1): 84-87.

Affiliation

Department of Otolaryngology, James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, UK.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, JLO Ltd., Publisher Cambridge University Press)

DOI

10.1017/S0022215112002617

PMID

23218043

Abstract

Objective: To describe a case of unwitnessed lithium ion disc battery ingestion, with a review of radiology findings and current best practice management. Case report: A three-year-old girl presented following ingestion of a foreign body, which her four-year-old brother claimed was a one pound coin. The patient was managed non-urgently and transferred for specialist ENT assessment 6 hours following the initial ingestion, with no evidence of airway compromise. A corroded battery was removed from the level of the cricopharyngeus after 8 hours, with an associated circumferential mucosal burn. Conclusion: There is increasing concern regarding the acknowledged rising incidence of lithium ion disc battery ingestion. The lack of a high index of suspicion and the inability to recognise subtleties on imaging may lead to suboptimal management with a higher degree of unnecessary immediate and delayed morbidity. The recently published American Academy of Pediatrics Guidelines may guide the approach to managing battery ingestions.

Language: en