Toy magnet ingestion in children: revising the algorithm

Abstract

The widespread popularity of magnetic toy sets has resulted in increased reports of magnet ingestion and subsequent complications. Traditional algorithms for ingested foreign bodies have advocated passage of these objects through the gastrointestinal tract spontaneously. In regard to magnet ingestion, the unique mechanism of pathogenesis, attraction of 2 or more magnets across multiple loops of bowel, has led to several cases of intestinal perforation caused by bowel wall erosion and necrosis between the magnets. Unfortunately, a misdiagnosis and misconception that a solitary magnet has been ingested may lead to a delay in diagnosis and subsequent severe and possibly preventable complications. We report a case in which a child presented having thought to have ingested a solitary magnetic toy from a magnet construction set. This resulted in the premature discharge from the hospital and the patient's subsequent return with an intraabdominal perforation resulting in an emergency laparotomy. The recent increase of case reports related to magnet ingestion has resulted in proposed treatment regimens for patients ingesting multiple magnets. We would also initiate the magnet algorithm if even presumably a single magnet was ingested. This would include close observation and early intervention, either with endoscopy or surgical exploration, which would theoretically prevent the more severe complications, reported in the literature.