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Unwitnessed lithium ion disc battery ingestion: case report and review of best practice management of an increasing clinical concern

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 December 2012

N Dawe ,
M Puvanendran  and
L Flood
N Dawe*
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, UK
M Puvanendran
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, UK
L Flood
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, UK
*
Address for correspondence: Mr N Dawe, Department of Otolaryngology, James Cook University Hospital, Marton Rd, Middlesbrough, TS5 3BW, UK E-mail: n.dawe@nhs.net
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Abstract

Objective:

To describe a case of unwitnessed lithium ion disc battery ingestion, with a review of radiology findings and current best practice management.

Case report:

A three-year-old girl presented following ingestion of a foreign body, which her four-year-old brother claimed was a one pound coin. The patient was managed non-urgently and transferred for specialist ENT assessment 6 hours following the initial ingestion, with no evidence of airway compromise. A corroded battery was removed from the level of the cricopharyngeus after 8 hours, with an associated circumferential mucosal burn.

Conclusion:

There is increasing concern regarding the acknowledged rising incidence of lithium ion disc battery ingestion. The lack of a high index of suspicion and the inability to recognise subtleties on imaging may lead to suboptimal management with a higher degree of unnecessary immediate and delayed morbidity. The recently published American Academy of Pediatrics Guidelines may guide the approach to managing battery ingestions.

Keywords

Foreign BodyEsophageal PerforationElectric Injuries
Type
Clinical Records
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 127 , Issue 1 , January 2013 , pp. 84 - 87
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2012

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