Spondylodiscitis Complicated by the Ingestion of a Button Battery: a Case Report

Abstract

A one-and-a-half year old boy who presented with a cough, irritability, and refusal of food was found to have an impacted foreign body in his upper esophagus. We present the radiologic findings of the foreign body (a button battery) impacted in the upper esophagus and its complications; namely, mediastinitis and spondylodiscitis after endoscopic removal. Further, plain radiograph and MR imaging findings are discussed along with literature review.

Neck Pain and Stiffness in a Toddler With History of Button Battery Ingestion

“…A recent case report documented T1-T2 spondylodiscitis from a button battery ingestion in a 1 ½-year-old boy (13). Although this case is similar to the one we have described, there are several differences.…”

Infectious spondylodiscitis caused by esophageal injury after blunt chest trauma

“…A deep esophageal ulcer may cause direct extension of infection, from the esophagus across the prevertebral fascia to the spine. 7,8 In the current case, spondylodiscitis of the upper thoracic spine slowly developed.…”

Migrating Ingested Foreign Body of the Upper Aerodigestive Tract with Resultant Septic Shock : Case Report and Literature Review

“…19 Button batteries, usually ingested by infants and young children, can cause significant damage, such as oedema and ulceration at the region of foreign body impaction due to strong alkali leakage, possibly resulting in oesophageal perforation, pneumothorax or spondylodiscitis. 20 Other complications include periesophagitis, periesophageal abscess, mediastinitis, and upper GI haemmorhage. 1,12,21 The most feared complications include aorto-oesophageal, subclavian-oesophageal fistula and carotid rupture.…”