Abstract
Objective. The authors performed a clinical and statistical study on cases of esophageal foreign bodies, with particular reference to ingested coins, admitted and treated in the ENT Department of the “Grigore Alexandrescu” Emergency Hospital for Children, between 01.01.2006 – 01.08.2007. Method and materials. A retrospective study, involving the interpretation and corroboration of the clinical and paraclinical findings of each case study. Results. Of all cases of foreign bodies, coins held the highest percentage; the average length of stay in hospital was 2 days; there were no cases of major complications (esophageal perforation, bleeding by intercepting a large vessel, mediastinitis); were also recorded particular cases that required special attention. Conclusion. All cases were approached and resolved by rigid endoscopy; shortening the time elapsed before presenting to ENT specialist facilitates the therapeutic approach, dramatically lowering the risk of complications; X-ray examination, although essential, can sometimes provide incomplete information, the diagnosis certainty being ensured only by endoscopy.
Highlights
Esophageal foreign bodies (EFB) are one of the major emergencies in pediatric ENT specialty, both by consequences generated by the occlusion of the esophageal lumen, and by redoubtable complications that can occur: esophageal perforation, mediastinitis, bleeding by intercepting a large vessel
The number of cases of EFB coming from urban environment was almost double than the number of cases coming from rural environment (Fig. 2)
In the age group 0-1 year we found the lowest number of EFB and no case of coin ingestion
Summary
Esophageal foreign bodies (EFB) are one of the major emergencies in pediatric ENT specialty, both by consequences generated by the occlusion of the esophageal lumen (denutrition, dehydration), and by redoubtable complications that can occur: esophageal perforation, mediastinitis, bleeding by intercepting a large vessel. Special attraction exerted by the coins on children – especially on those younger than 4 years old (small, bright, noisy, accessible, maneuvered objects)
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