Oesophageal foreign body: an unusual presentation

Abstract

Large oesophageal foreign bodies can impinge on the trachea causing upper respiratory tract signs. In such cases, anteroposterior and lateral chest films are imperative to make a correct diagnosis.

Pulmonary manifestations masquerading a longstanding neglected metallic foreign body in the esophagus of a paediatric patient from Tanzania: Rare case report

“…Most foreign bodies in the esophagus will pass unsolicited through the gastrointestinal tract asymptomatically or without any notable complication. Invariable clinical manifestation has been reported whenever impaction or lodgment of a foreign body in the esophagus occurs where children may present with pulmonary or respiratory manifestation and at times they may present with difficulty in swallowing [ 11 , 12 ]. There are circumstances where esophageal foreign bodies may go undiagnosed for months or years and such delayed diagnosis may be attributed to unwitnessed scene, radiolucent foreign bodies or asymptomatic ingestion of foreign bodies right from the time when ingestion of such foreign bodies occurs [ 13 ].…”

“…Retained foreign bodies in the esophagus when diagnosed on delayed basis may be associated with several complications such as recurrent pneumonia or disastrous complications such as esophageal ulceration that may progress to esophageal fistulae, mediastinitis, pneumothorax, esophageal abscess or esophageal stricture [ 11 , 12 , 14 ]. This appears to be similar to the case we are hereby reporting since the child presented with recurrent pulmonary manifestations post lodgment of the metallic foreign body that were unresponsive to medical treatment.…”

Delayed diagnosis of esophageal foreign body: A case report

“…In our case, clinicians had not thought of EFB as part of the differential diagnosis of chronic respiratory signs. Long-standing EFBs may cause recurrent pneumonia or more serious consequences ranging from ulceration to fistulae, mediastinitis, pneumothorax, abscess and stricture [2], [3], [4], [5], [6], [7].…”