Abstract
Objective: Button batteries (BB) in the aerodigestive tract are a common cause of morbidity and mortality in infants and children worldwide. After the nose and ear, the esophagus is the most common site of foreign body impaction. The purpose of this study is to study the different presentations of button battery as a foreign body and present our experience in the diagnosis and management of this hazardous problem in children.
Methods: This study included 50 patients. The diagnostic protocol comprised of a detail history taking, physical examination of head and neck, and appropriate radiographic evaluation. The button batteries were emergently extracted under general anesthesia.
Results: The average follow-up period was 2.5 months. Thirty-five patients had an esophageal button battery. Six patients had button battery in the tracheobronchial area. Nine patients had a button battery in the stomach and below. One patient developed tracheoesophageal fistula, and one patient expired of aortoesophageal fistula.
Conclusion: Early detection is the key to the management of button battery as foreign bodies. They have a distinctive radiological appearance, and its prompt removal is mandatory, especially for batteries lodged in the aerodigestive tract. Physicians must recognize the hazardous potential and serious implications of such an accident. There is also a definite need for more public education and awareness about this serious problem.
Keywords: aerodigestive tract, button battery, oesophagoscopy.
References
- Lin VY, Daniel SJ, Papsin BC. Button batteries in the ear, nose and upper aerodigestive tract. International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology. 2004;68 (4):473–479.
- Abdulkareem I, Sabir OM, Elamin A. Button battery induced traumatic tracheoesophageal fistula: Case report and review of literature. Sudan J Paediatr. 2011; 11(2): 43–49.
- Pokharel R, Adhikari P, Bhusal CL, Guragain RP. Oesophageal foreign bodies in children. JNMA J Nepal Med Assoc 2008; 47: 186–188.
- Wyllie R. Foreign bodies in the gastrointestinal tract. CurrOpinPediatr. 2006;18:563–4.
- Uyemura MC. Foreign body ingestion in children. Am Fam Physician. 2005;72: 287–91.
- Cheng W, Tam PK. Foreign-body ingestion in children: Experience with 1265 cases. J Pediatr Surg. 1999;34:1472–6.
- Litovitz T, Whitaker N, Clark L, White NC, Marsolek M. Emerging battery-ingestion hazard: Clinical implications. Pediatrics. 2010;125:1168–77.
- Hamilton JM, Schraff SA, Notrica DM. Severe injuries from coin cell battery ingestions: 2 case reports. Journal of Pediatric Surgery. 2009;44(3):644–647.
- Soerdjbalie-Maikoe V, van Rijn RR. A case of fatal coin battery ingestion in a 2-year-old child.Forensic Science International. 2010;198(1–3):e19–e22.
- Litovitz TL. Battery ingestions: product accessibility and clinical course. Pediatrics.1985;75(3):469–476.
- Higo R, Matsumoto Y, Ichimura K, Kaga K. Foreign bodies in the aerodigestive tract in pediatric patients. AurisNasus Larynx. 2003;30(4):397–401.
- Premachandra DJ, McRae D. Severe tissue destruction in the ear caused by alkaline button batteries. Postgraduate Medical Journal. 1990;66(771):52–53.
- Litovitz T, Schmitz BF. Ingestion of cylindrical and button batteries: an analysis of 2382 cases. Pediatrics. 1992;89(4):747–757.
- Sheikh A. Button battery ingestions in children. Pediatric Emergency Care. 1993;9(4):224–229.
- Thompson N, Lowe-Ponsford F, Mant TGK, Volans GN. Button battery ingestion: a review. Adverse Drug Reactions and Acute Poisoning Review. 1990;9(3):157–180.
- Lin VY, Daniel SJ, Papsin BC. Button batteries in the ear, nose and upper aerodigestive tract. International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology. 2004;68 (4):473–479.
- Soerdjbalie-Maikoe V, van Rijn RR. A case of fatal coin battery ingestion in a 2-year-old child. Forensic Science International. 2010;198(1–3):e19–e22.
- McRae D, Premachandra DJ, Gatland DJ. Button batteries in the ear, nose and cervical esophagus: a destructive foreign body. Journal of Otolaryngology. 1989;18(6):317–319.
- Alvi A, Bereliani A, Zahtz GD. Miniature disc battery in the nose: a dangerous foreign body. Clinical Pediatrics. 1997;36(7):427–429.
- Tong MCF, Van Hasselt CA, Woo JKS. The hazards of button batteries in the nose.Journal of Otolaryngology. 1992;21(6):458–460.
- Temple DM, McNeese MC. Hazards of battery ingestion. Pediatrics. 1983;71(1): 100–103.
- Thabet MH, Basha WM, Askar S. Button battery foreign bodies in children: hazards, management, and recommendations. Bio Med Research International. 2013;2013(846091):1-7
- Litovitz T, Whitaker N, Clark L. Preventing battery ingestions: an analysis of 8648 cases. Pediatrics. 2010;125 (6):1178–1183.
Corresponding Author
Dr Adnan Bashir Bhatti, MD
Department of Neonatal & Paediatric Surgery
Children Hospital PIMS, Islamabad, Pakistan
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v5i12.153
