Bowel obstruction following ingestion of superabsorbent polymers beads: literature review

Oral ingestion of foreign body in neonates and infants: a clinical review

“…21 Hydrated superabsorbent polymer balls can increase 30-60 times of their dry volume but they are radiolucent, invisible on radiograph. 5,41,42 These balls can be retrieved by retrieval net or wire basket or polyp snare as per the shape or size of the FB. Mirza et al reported a case of crystal gel balls ingestion in a six-month-old infant.…”

Two cases of intestinal obstruction due to ingestion of water beads

“…방사선 투과성을 띠는 수정토는 일반영상에서는 보이지 않고 컴퓨터단층촬영 또는 초음파에서 장 내부의 둥근 종괴로 발견되는 경우가 종종 있어, 장중복증 및 난소낭종 등으로 의심되는 경우가 많다 3,6,7) . 초음파에서 수정토가 경계가 명확하고 둥근 저에코 낭종으로 보인다는 점을 인지하고, 수정토를 가지고 놀았던 환자가 본 증례처럼 장폐쇄를 시사하는 증상을 보인다면, 조기에 응급현장초음파(point-of-care ultrasound)를 시행하는 것이 바람직하다 6) .…”

Orbeez ingestion: Successful medical management of 1000 absorbent bead ingestion in a 3‐year‐old patient

“…However, a review of reported cases from 2021 indicated that of 43 cases of bowel obstruction secondary to water bead ingestions, two patients required endoscopic removal and the remaining 41 required surgical enterotomy or intestinal resection. 4 We report a case of successful medical management following ingestion of over 1000 water beads. The patient is a 3-year-old previously healthy female presenting with abdominal pain and multiple episodes of emesis following reported ingestion of "hundreds" of water beads.…”

“…identified small bowel obstruction as a complication. [2][3][4] The dimensions to which the beads can expand are variable, with sources reporting maximum diameters ranging from 25 to 50 mm depending on the type and brand of bead. 2,[4][5][6] There is no consensus regarding optimal management in instances of Orbeez™ ingestion.…”

“…[2][3][4] The dimensions to which the beads can expand are variable, with sources reporting maximum diameters ranging from 25 to 50 mm depending on the type and brand of bead. 2,[4][5][6] There is no consensus regarding optimal management in instances of Orbeez™ ingestion. However, a review of reported cases from 2021 indicated that of 43 cases of bowel obstruction secondary to water bead ingestions, two patients required endoscopic removal and the remaining 41 required surgical enterotomy or intestinal resection.…”