Unexpected Radiographic Findings Related to Foreign Bodies

Abstract

In two asymptomatic patients, routine preoperative radiographs revealed three pennies in the esophagus in one patient and a spring from a toy in another patient. In contrast two symptomatic patients, one with a flip-top cap from a beer can in the esophagus and the other with a piece of photographic film in the larynx, had negative findings on their radiographs. Salient points of the cases are that diagnosis can be delayed by inadequate history, misinterpretation of signs and symptoms, and unexpected radiographic findings. Special attention should be focused on the flip-top cap ingestion case. Sixty-five percent of 677 people polled have placed flip-top caps into full cans. Fifty-two people almost swallowed a flip-top cap. Otolaryngologists should be alerted about the radiolucency of this metallic foreign body, and the general population should be discouraged from this dangerous practice.

Endoscopic Management of Foreign Bodies in the Upper Gastrointestinal Tract: An Analysis of 846 Cases in China

“…Radiologic procedures may have an important role in helping determine the presence, location and type of an ingested foreign body, thus helping identify the most appropriate therapeutic approach (31)(32)(33). The majority of patients in the present study with suspected foreign body ingestion had anteroposterior and lateral radiographs of the neck, chest, or abdomen.…”

Endoscopic removal of foreign bodies from the upper aerodigestive tract: a retrospective study from a tertiary care hospital

“…2019 Jul;5 (4): [960][961][962][963][964] International Journal of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery | July-August 2019 | Vol 5 | Issue 4 Page 964 A positive history, detailed clinical examination and radiographic search often lead to a diagnosis, while negative history and or normal results of imaging do not rule out a foreign body. 19…”

Esophageal Stricture: An Uncommon Complication of Foreign Bodies

“…8,9 Even when symptoms are present, certain objects defy detection by techniques commonly used in the emergency department. A small, smooth object such as a coin or bingo chip may be asymptomatic for some time.…”