Gastrointestinal fistula due to multiple neodymium magnet ingestions

Abstract

Foreign body ingestion (FBI) is one of the critical conditions encountered in pediatric emergency services. FBI can lead to high mortality in children. Neodymium magnets are increasingly popular due to children’s great interest in them. In cases of multiple magnet ingestion, the risk of mucosal perforation is higher when compared with other types of FBI. With this case, an attempt to raise awareness of this medical problem was made by sharing the case of a neodymium magnet body in a 24-month-old patient. The magnet was detected incidentally during our fever etiology examination although possible ingestion of a foreign body had previously been reported in her medical history. Our patient presented with abdominal tenderness, agitation, and other symptoms. An abdominal X-ray was taken. A foreign body that resembled a neodymium magnet sphere was observed. During surgery, a gastrocolic fistula in the antrum was observed. Multiple magnets are foreign bodies that present a higher risk of causing intestinal perforation compared to other foreign bodies. It is known that multiple magnet ingestions may cause mucosal ulceration, and it should be emphasized that such ingestion may cause gastrointestinal fistulas. Since pediatric patients in a certain age group tend to put objects in their mouths, each patient with an unclear cause of fever and abdominal sensitivity should be questioned with respect to FBI and then tested radiologically.