Esophageal pH Capsule Retention

Abstract

The wireless pH capsule is widely used to evaluate gastroesophageal reflux disease in patients. Common complications include premature capsule detachment, dysphagia, chest pain, and technical malfunctions. We present a 6-year-old boy who presented to our institution with a 2-day history of coffee-ground emesis. A pH capsule was found to be lodged in his distal esophagus 45 days after initial placement. We explore the possible reasons for capsule retention and briefly discuss the safety implications of this finding because we believe that this complication may be underreported.

Oesophageal pH capsule retention: case report and proposed endoscopic management

“…It is worthwhile to note that since 2009, only 30 such cases of oesophageal pH capsule retention have been noted in the literature, with the majority of reports reporting a retention duration between 9 days to 6 weeks. Of these 30 reports, 13 patients presented with chest pain, followed by 10 patients presenting with odynophagia [ 6 ].…”