Common Foreign Bodies Research Articles

Retrieval of ferrous metal foreign body from limbs soft tissue aided by a permanent magnet: A surgical technique and case series.

Retrieval of ferrous metal foreign body from limbs soft tissue aided by a permanent magnet: A surgical technique and case series.

Foreign Body in the Esophagus: A Retrospective Study from National City Hospital, Bharatpur, Chitwan, Nepal

Foreign body (FB) ingestion is a common clinical emergency requiring prompt diagnosis and management. This retrospective study analyzes demographic distribution, types of ingested foreign bodies, and sites of impaction among 85 presented in National City Hospital, Bharatpur, Chitwan, Nepal during the period of one year from January 2024 to December 2024. The majority of cases occurred in adults, with meat bones being the most common foreign body. Most FBs were lodged in the upper esophagus, and endoscopic retrieval was the primary management approach. This study highlights the seasonal variation in foreign body ingestion, particularly during Nepalese festivals when meat consumption increases.

Pediatric aerodigestive foreign bodies in the Qassim region: a retrospective study of epidemiology, clinical characteristics, and outcomes

BACKGROUND: Aerodigestive foreign bodies (ADFBs) are a common pediatric emergency, often caused by tiny objects like toys, coins, seeds, and other foreign materials getting lodged in the airway during swallowing or breathing. Inadequate handling and delayed treatment could lead to potentially life-threatening complications. Understanding the symptoms and dangers associated with ADFBs is crucial in implementing preventative measures to reduce their occurrences.OBJECTIVES: The study aimed to evaluate the epidemiology, clinical characteristics, management strategies, and outcomes of pediatric patients with ADFBs in the Qassim region.DESIGN: Single-center, retrospective studySETTING: Maternal and Children's Hospital, Qassim, Saudi ArabiaPATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective data of pediatric patients (0–14 years) with confirmed ADFBs recorded over the past 5 years at Maternal and Children Hospital (MCH) in Buraidah, Saudi Arabia. Data was first cleaned and then analyzed using SPSS version 26 to obtain crucial insights.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Common characteristics and management strategies of ADFBs in pediatric patients, including demographic factors, such as age and gender, the type and location of the foreign bodies, and the clinical presentation and outcomes following intervention.SAMPLE SIZE: 149 patientsRESULTS: Most patients were symptomatic 89 (59.7%) with frequent symptoms such as vomiting 38 (42.7%) followed by drooling 14 (15.7%) and cough 13 (14.6%). Most of the objects 122 (81.9%) were radiopaque, impacted in the upper esophagus above clavicle 90 (60.4%). The common foreign body type identified were coin 96 (64.4%); seeds 8 (5.4%) and battery 8 (5.4%). Most objects (91.94%) were visualized, and 76.5% were removed via endoscopy. Only 10 (6.7%) of the patients had complications with nearly one-third 3 (30.0%) of them presenting with erosion.CONCLUSION: Common foreign body types reported are coins, seeds, and batteries. Most objects impacted are radiopaque; with endoscopy commonly used in visualization and foreign body extraction from patients. The study highlights the need for increased awareness among caregivers regarding pediatric safety and the potential risks and complications associated with ADFBs. It recommends prompt action, including medical intervention and preventive measures, to reduce the incidence and risks of ADFBs.LIMITATION: Single-center and retrospective design limited the generalizability of the investigation.

Acute small intestine obstruction caused by migrating gastrostomy foley’s catheter

Acute small intestine obstruction is a common problem and usually caused by adhesions, bands, hernias, volvulus, tumors and foreign bodies. Foreign bodies causing acute intestine obstruction is a rare occurrence. Common foreign bodies are ingested coins, marbles, small toys, bones of nonvegetarian foods, hairs and vegetable fibers. Foley’s catheter of gastrostomy, migrating in small intestine and causing acute small intestinal obstruction is one of the rarest causes. Here we presenting a case where the gastrostomy Foley’s catheter migrated to small intestine and caused acute intestinal obstruction.

Non-interventional outcomes of adult foreign body ingestions.

Non-interventional outcomes of adult foreign body ingestions.

Percutaneous removal of pulmonary intravascular foreign bodies in children.

This retrospective study aims to evaluate the safety and efficacy of percutaneous removal of pulmonary intravascular foreign bodies in children. This single-center, retrospective study analyzed cases of pulmonary intravascular foreign body removal in children over a 13-year peiod. There were a total of 9 children, with a mean age of 8.6 years. The most common foreign bodies were catheter fragments (n = 7). The success rate of foreign body retrieval was 100%, with only one case of transient arrhythmia as a complication. Preliminary findings suggest that percutaneous retrieval is a safe and effective method for removing pulmonary intravascular foreign bodies in children.

Clinical profile and management outcome of impacted aural foreign bodies in children in Southwestern Nigeria: A prospective study

ABSTRACT Background: Children commonly present with impacted aural foreign bodies (FBs) to the otolaryngology clinics globally. Their mode of presentation and method of the FB removal depends on the nature of the FB. Methods: To prospectively study the types of impacted aural FBs in children, their mode of presentation, and their different methods of removal in otolaryngology clinics in three tiers of hospitals in Lagos state. Results: One hundred and sixty children aged 8 months to 11 years were studied. One hundred and fifty-one had unilateral, whereas 9 had bilateral impactions. There were 102 (63.7%) males, and 58 (36.3%) females. One hundred seven (66.9%) patients were between 2 and 5 years old. Fifty-five (34.4%) patients were recruited from the private ENT clinic, 51 (31.9%) from Nigerian Navy Reference Hospital, and 54 (33.8%) from Lagos University Teaching Hospital for the study. Fifty-two (32.5%) of the cases of impaction were self-reported, 54 (33.75%) were discovered incidentally, and 54 (33.75%) presented with otologic symptoms consisting mainly of otalgia 24 (15.0%) and ear blockage 17 (10.6%). The most common FB was bead 57 (35.6%). Impaction was more in the right ear. The FBs were successfully removed in 148 (92.5%) subjects in the clinic using a Jobson-Horne probe to scoop out the hard, rounded FBs or otologic alligator forceps and micro-cup forceps to grasp the soft FBs. Irrigation was used mainly for dis-impaction. Complications were noted in 6 (3.75%) subjects. Conclusion: Aural FBs predominate in children < 5 years old, males, and in the right ear. As in the literature, successful removal of impacted aural FB in the clinic under direct vision was achieved with few complications.

Intravascular foreign bodies retrieval: Navigating differences from childhood to adulthood

Background/Aim: The increasing number of cardiovascular procedures is coupled with higher cardiovascular foreign bodies (FB) embolisation into the circulation. Aim of this study was to analyse centre's experience with percutaneous retrieval of FB, emphasising the differences between paediatrics and adults and highlighting failure-related parametres. Methods: A retrospective analysis of patients who underwent percutaneous retrieval FB in the heart and major blood vessels from February 2013 to April 2024 in the catheterisation lab at a specialised cardiovascular centre was performed. Data were subdivided into two groups: paediatric and adult. A collection was made of patient demographic and FB details, including type, site, the reason for introduction, duration of impaction, details of retrieval procedure including access site, types of catheters, device and sheath used, the time needed for extraction and whether the retrieval was successful. Results: Twenty-two patients were included, 15 (68.2 %) adults and 7 (31.8 %) paediatric patients. The most common FB retrieved was a guide wire 7 (33 %) followed by an atrial septal occluder 6 (29 %). The right femoral artery was commonly accessed in both subgroups. Snare techniques were used in all patients. There were no complications or deaths reported. Overall procedure success was 18 cases (81.8 %), while the procedure failed in 4 (18.2 %) cases and those patients were referred to open surgery. No statistically significant differences were found between the patient's age, gender, the type of FB, the site of FB and the duration of FB impaction concerning the outcome of the procedure. Conclusion: Percutaneous retrieval of cardiovascular FB is a safe, successful alternative to surgery. The success rate was comparable between adult and paediatric patients.

Foreign Body Inhalation in Adult Population/ Thoracic Department /Baghdad / Iraq

Background: Foreign body aspiration occurs when a foreign body enters the airway which can cause dyspnea or choking. Whatever the type of the object, any aspiration can be a life-threatening situation and demands timely recognition and action to minimize risk of complications. Aim of Study: To evaluate demographic information and bronchoscopic findings in adult patients with airway foreign body aspiration and its removal and to compare it with regional, national and international studies. Patients and Methods: This is a randomized retrospective study for bronchoscopically managed thirty adult patients with foreign body inhalation in single center study, done in the thoracic and vascular department, Medical City complex /Baghdad/Iraq during the period from 1st January 2017 till 31 December 2020. History taking, physical examination and laboratory findings were recorded for all the patients with radiological assessment by CXR and CT-scan. After confirmation of diagnosis, patients were scheduled for bronchoscopic intervention. Results: In this study 28 patients were females and 2 patients were males. The female to male ratio was 14:1. The commonest age group affected was those in their 3rd decade followed by those in their second and forth decade. Metallic pin was the most common foreign body and was seen in 93% of patients. Rigid bronchoscopy was successful in extracting the foreign body in 93% of the patients and thoracotomy was needed in the remaining.

Mis-Swallowing Sharp Pointed Object in the Esophagus: An Alarming Case Series

The majority cases of foreign body ingestion reported are usually children. This reflecting the tendency of children to use their mouth to explore their new surroundings and objects. While coins are the usual ingested foreign body in children, a brooch is the culprit for one of the cases we are reporting here. Denture ingestion, meanwhile, is one of the most common foreign body ingestions in adult. Acrylic denture is a type of denture made up of plastic material but having a retainer that usually made of stainless steel. This type of tooth denture with exposed end of the stainless-steel retainer is sharp with thin pointed end might traumatised the mucosal wall lining the digestive tract by lacerating, puncturing and migrating to neighbouring structures or soft tissue (airway or nearby blood vessels). This can further lead to serious complications such as upper GI bleed, oesophageal perforation, tracheoesophageal fistula, tracheal injury, mediastinitis, deep neck abscess and bowel perforation. Immediate intervention is crucial once diagnosis is confirmed to prevent those complications. Here, we also elucidate a case of a double tooth wired denture ingestion in a 60-year-old male who complaint of dysphagia immediately after swallowing his denture. After confirming the presence of foreign body in both cases with neck X-Ray, emergency esophagoscopy done to remove the foreign body. Herein, highlighting the importance of immediate intervention and removal technique to prevent unwanted complications.

(Micro)Plastic Foreign Bodies in Food and Feed: Notifications in the European Union

Plastic particles, including microplastics, are increasingly common contaminants of the food chain, raising concerns over human health effects. The objective of this work was to contribute to a better understanding of their presence in food and feed based on notifications of plastic foreign bodies in the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) of the European Union. Visible plastics accounted for 25 notifications per year from 2020 to 2023 (four years), becoming the third most common foreign body after glass and metal. Contamination is likely to originate during processing and packaging. Even though these results confirm the presence of plastics in the European food chain, notifications provide limited information and only visible particles may be reported. Regulations must establish active monitoring and limits for plastic particles in foods and feeds (e.g., in an amendment to Commission Regulation (EC) no. 1881/2006), including for smaller particle sizes (i.e., microplastics). However, the establishment of regulations is limited by knowledge gaps in analytical methods, foodstuff contamination, and toxicity. Research studies should prioritize knowledge gaps needed to support regulatory action and, ultimately, human health protection.

Coin in the Oesophagus Cloaked over the Other - A Rare Case Report.

Coins continue to be the most common foreign body that kids swallow, especially younger children. There are still extremely few documented instances of children ingesting several coins in the literature, making these occurrences uncommon. It is quite uncommon to see a case of multiple coin ingestion with perfect radiological alignment. This report describes a rare case of two coins lodged in the oesophagus at the same site and the steps taken for successful removal.

The Ingestion Question: Public Knowledge of Safe Food Introduction in Children.

National guidelines advise delaying initiation of solid foods until after 4-6 months of age and avoiding "high-risk" foods under the age of 4 years. However, foreign body aspiration of food remains a common preventable pediatric emergency. Our primary aim was to investigate public knowledge regarding the safe age of introduction of different foods to children and determine if demographic factors affect this knowledge. An online survey was designed following a literature review and consultation with an expert panel. This was distributed via social media platforms. A review of our institutional data of bronchoscopy/foreign body retrievals was performed to identify trends. There were 1000 survey responses: 79.4% of respondents cared for children and 21.5% were medical professionals; 37.7% of respondents (n = 385) would offer high-risk foods to children <2 years of age and 56.9% (n = 582) to children <3 years. At our institution nuts (65.7%) were the most common food-related foreign body retrieved from a total of 265 over 21 years. Notably, 80% of respondents (n = 800) would offer whole nuts to children <4 years. Respondents with medical training were more likely to hold off on introducing nuts to children until a later age. Although the public has an overall appreciation of food safety, a significant proportion would feel comfortable offering high-risk foods to children under 2 and 3 years. There is a poor understanding of the danger of nuts and the appropriate age of introduction. Further research into effective public education strategies on safe food introduction in children are warranted. 5 Laryngoscope, 135:445-451, 2025.

FP7.17 - Appendiceal Foreign Bodies in Adults: A Systematic Review of Case Reports

Abstract Adults can accidentally swallow foreign bodies (FBs) with food. In rare occasions, these can lodge in the appendix lumen causing inflammation. This is known as foreign body appendicitis. We conducted this study to review different types and management of appendiceal FBs. A comprehensive search on PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library and Google Scholar was performed to detect appropriate case reports for this review. Case reports eligible for this review included patients above 18 years of age with all types of FB ingestion causing appendicitis. A total of 64 case reports were deemed to be eligible for inclusion in this systematic review. The patient mean age was 44.3 ± 16.7 years (range, 18-77). Twenty-four foreign bodies were identified in the adult appendix. They were mainly lead shot pellet, fishbone, dental crown or filling, toothpick, and others. Forty-two percent of the included patients presented with classic appendicitis pain, while 17% were asymptomatic. Moreover, the appendix was perforated in 11 patients. Regarding modalities used for diagnosis, computed tomography (CT) scans confirmed the presence of FBs in 59% of cases while X-ray only managed to detect 30%. Almost all of the cases (91%) were treated surgically with appendicectomy and only six were managed conservatively. Overall, lead shot pellets were the most common foreign body found. Fishbone and toothpick accounted for most of the perforated appendix cases. This study concludes that prophylactic appendicectomy is recommended for the management of foreign bodies detected in the appendix, even if the patient is asymptomatic.

Epidemiological Investigation of the Foreign Body in the Ear, How to Treat It and Its Complications in the Hospital Kamkar-Arabnia in Qom in 2019

Background: A foreign object in the ear is a relatively common emergency, and failure to remove it properly or using incorrect methods can cause irreparable damage. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the epidemiology of foreign bodies in the ear, their treatment, and associated complications at Kamkar-Arabnia Hospital in Qom in 2019. Methods: This descriptive study used a census method to include 102 patients referred to Kamkar-Arabnia Hospital with complaints of foreign bodies in the ear. Data were collected using a checklist that included demographic and hospital information, and then analyzed using SPSS 18 with descriptive and analytical statistics. Results: The study included 102 participants with an average age of 12.41 ± 7.11 years. Most participants were male (58.9%, n = 60), and the age distribution was as follows: 0 - 6 years (49%, n = 50), 6 - 12 years (30.4%, n = 31), 12-18 years (13.7%, n = 14), and over 18 years (6.9%, n = 7). The most common foreign body was seeds (35.2%, n = 36). Complications were observed in 41.4% of cases, with the majority occurring in the age group of 0-6 years. In this age group, seeds were the most common foreign body, whereas in the age groups 6 - 12 years and 12 - 18 years, seeds were also prevalent. For individuals over 18 years, common foreign bodies included matchsticks, cotton, and plastic. Only 22 patients required anesthesia for removal. Among the age groups 0 - 6, 6 - 12, and 12 - 18 years, most foreign bodies were removed without complications, whereas 5 individuals over 18 years experienced canal bleeding. Conclusions: The study highlights the need for effective preventive measures to avoid the entry of foreign substances in children, emphasizing the importance of proper management to prevent complications.

Unusual Airway Foreign Bodies in Children: Demographics and Management.

The aim is to study the demographics and management of unusual airway foreign bodies (UAFBs) in children. A retrospective observational study (2000-2020) of children with UAFBs, who underwent bronchoscopic removal. The demographics, types of foreign bodies, clinical and radiological features, management, and outcomes were collated and analyzed. Common foreign bodies, such as nuts, seeds, and vegetable aspirations, were excluded. Among 531 children who had bronchoscopic retrieval of airway foreign bodies, 74 (59 males/15 females) had unusual foreign bodies. These included pen caps, whistles, plastic objects, pins, coal piece, stones, clay, pencil, gold ornament, and glass bangle. Thirty-one children presented within 1 day of aspiration, 37 within 1 month and 6 till 6 months. Thirty-nine were below 5 years, and the rest were between 5 and 15 years. Cough, respiratory distress, fever, choking, and noisy breathing were common presentations. Others are stridor, whistling, cyanosis, loss, and change of voice. Chest X-ray showed ipsilateral hyperinflation (23), haziness (21), radio-opaque foreign body (17) and was normal in 14. The left main bronchus, followed by the right main bronchus and trachea, were the sites of impaction. Four children required additional procedures (tracheotomy and thoracotomy). There was one mortality in the study cohort. Aspiration of unusual foreign bodies is not uncommon in children. Most aspirations are witnessed and predominant in boys. The left bronchus is the common site of impaction, and X-ray clinches the diagnosis. Presentation is delayed, and bronchoscopic retrieval, though challenging, has favorable outcome.

Managing Foreign-body Injuries in Individuals with Diabetes: A Diagnostic Challenge

Abstract Introduction: Diabetes often leads to diabetic foot infections, resulting in hospitalizations and amputations. Foreign-body (FB) injuries in diabetes present significant diagnostic challenges. This study aims to unravel the complexities of FB injuries, focusing on implications, diagnostic hurdles, and management strategies due to their association with delayed detection and complications. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on 28 patients who visited the Chellaram Diabetes Institute, Pune, between June 2014 and August 2021, with a history of FB injury. We collected their clinical, radiological, microbiological and biomedical data including clinical outcomes. Results: The study included 28 subjects (71.43% males, 28.57% females) with a mean age and duration of diabetes of 65.07 ± 7.26 and 17.89 ± 9.15 years respectively. Peripheral neuropathy was observed in 95.83% of subjects. Imaging was used in 21 subjects: X-ray (n = 21; 5 had FBs) and ultrasound (n = 13; 6 had FBs). FBs were retrieved in 18 cases, with imaging detecting them in 9 cases (X-ray only: 3, X-ray + USG: 2, USG only: 4). In 12 subjects, FBs were removed bedside as accidental findings. The most common FB was a stone (n = 9), followed by wooden splinters (n = 6) and thorns (n = 6). Removal procedures were performed on both hospitalized and nonhospitalized subjects, highlighting undiagnosed injuries. Conclusion: This study underscores the importance of radiological modalities in detecting FBs and assessing the extent of infection they cause, aiming to enhance future FB management.

Foreign Bodies in Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology: A Review.

Foreign bodies (FBs) in pediatric otorhinolaryngology represent up to 10% of cases in emergency departments (ED) and are primarily present in children under five years old. They are probably the result of children's curiosity and tendency to explore the environment. Aural and nasal FBs are the most common and accessible, and the removal methods differ depending on the exact location and type of FB, which can be organic or inorganic. A fish bone stuck in one of the palatine tonsils is the most common pharyngeal FB. Laryngopharyngeal FBs can obstruct the upper respiratory tract and thus become acutely life-threatening, requiring an urgent response. Aspiration of FBs is common in children between 1 and 4 years old. A history of coughing and choking is an indication of diagnostic and therapeutic methods to rule out or confirm a tracheobronchial FB. Regardless of the availability of radiological diagnostics, rigid bronchoscopy is the diagnostic and therapeutic method of choice in symptomatic cases. Radiological diagnostics are more significant in treating esophageal FBs since most are radiopaque. Flexible or rigid esophagoscopy is a successful method of removal. A delayed diagnosis, as with tracheobronchial FBs, can lead to fatal consequences.

Foreign body cases in obstetrics and gynecology practice

The article presents cases that took place in obstetrics and gynecology practice, the detection of a foreign body after surgical operations, childbirth through the natural birth canal.Patient safety is one of the most pressing issues in healthcare. Promoting safety requires that all those involved in health care recognize that the potential for error exists and that teamwork and communication are essential to preventing errors.Retention of surgical objects such as a gauze pad, instrument, or needle after surgery or an invasive procedure is a rare but potentially serious phenomenon associated with significant morbidity and mortality.Gauze swabs and napkins are the most common finds, while surgical instruments and needles are rare.We will present cases of foreign bodies in the practice of obstetrician-gynecologists.In the first case, the foreign body was left in the anterior abdominal wall. Two cases of napkins being left in the abdominal cavity after gynecological and surgical operations. In the fourth case, a needle was left in the cervix after delivery through the natural birth canal and suturing of soft tissue tears in the birth canal. Moreover, the needle was not detected either after childbirth, or outside of pregnancy, or during pregnancy, but was detected during examination of the cervix in mirrors in the early postoperative period.The problem of finding a foreign body after surgery remains unsolved. According to statistics, one patient per year in each hospital suffers from a forgotten foreign body. A foreign body left behind can give rise to a lawsuit for damages against the surgeon and medical staff.Pre- and post-operative object counting is the most common foreign body screening method used in the world.Careful surgical technique should be routinely followed, which includes counting sponges, tampons, napkins, and instruments aimed at preventing postoperative foreign material in body cavities. A patient with significant gastrointestinal symptoms and a history of surgery should have a high index of suspicion for postoperative foreign body retention. Perioperative counting of equipment and materials is the most common method of foreign body screening.

Gastrointestinal devices: common and uncommon foreign bodies.

Devices for the gastrointestinal tract are widely available and constantly advancing with less invasive techniques. They play a crucial role in diagnostic and therapeutic interventions and are commonly placed by interventional radiologists, gastroenterologists, and surgeons. These devices frequently appear in imaging studies, which verify their proper placement, identify any complications, or may be incidentally detected. Radiologists must be able to identify these devices at imaging and understand their intended purpose to assess their efficacy, detect complications such as incorrect positioning, and avoid misinterpreting them as abnormalities. Furthermore, many patients with these devices may require MRI, making assessing compatibility essential for safe patient care. This review seeks to provide a succinct and practical handbook for radiologists regarding both common and uncommon gastrointestinal devices. In addition to textual descriptions of clinical indications, imaging findings, complications, and MRI compatibility, the review incorporates a summary table as a quick reference point for key information and illustrative images for each device.