Magnets Playing Hide and Seek: A Case Report of Hidden Magnets in a Child

Abstract

With the now widespread use of small magnets in household items and toys, ingestion of these items has become a serious health hazard which carries the possibility of complications such as gastrointestinal (GI) tract perforation, hemorrhage, necrosis and death. While endoscopic retrieval of these objects has long been in practice, the possibility of the magnets attaching to the scope without practitioner's knowledge has not received sufficient attention in literature. Here we report a case of a 5-year-old female who was admitted for endoscopic retrieval of two small magnet ball bearings that she had swallowed shortly before admission. The search for the foreign objects was made difficult by ingested food obstructing the view. Fluoroscopy was also unremarkable. The procedure was ultimately deemed unsuccessful and terminated after 56 min. Both ball bearings were found attached to the scope upon inspection of the scope post procedure. Attachment of magnets to the scope should be a consideration during endoscopic removal, especially in cases of poor visibility. This can potentially help reduce unnecessary prolongation of procedures and therefore, complications including postoperative anesthesia symptoms, perforation, etc.