Presentation
History of ingestion of coin with drooling of large amount of saliva.
Patient Data
A round, radio opaque radiodensity measuring 2 cm in maximum diameter is seen at C6-T1 level in the region of the pharyngoesophageal junction with slight prominence of the prevertebral soft tissues, as per history, likely to be the ingested coin.
No other discrete radiopaque foreign body in the neck, chest, abdomen and pelvis.
Case Discussion
This is a case of an ingested foreign body by child lodged in the esophagus.
Children of all ages may ingest a FB, however the highest incidence is between the ages of 6 months and 3 years, and in those with developmental or behavioral problems.
The main symptoms related to esophageal foreign bodies are acute onset of pain, difficulty in swallowing, dysphagia, choking and excessive salivation. The most common site of impaction is at or above the level of the cricopharyngeal muscle, followed by the other areas of anatomical narrowing or congenital stricture.
Clinical sequelae of embedded esophageal foreign bodies depend on the characteristics of the foreign bodies and the duration of impaction. Foreign bodies need to be removed carefully at the earliest to prevent dreaded complications like - retropharyngeal abscess and mediastinitis.
This case was submitted with supervision and input from:
Soni C. Chawla, M.D.
Associate Professor
Department of Radiological Sciences
David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
Olive View - UCLA Medical Center