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Ingested foreign body

Case contributed by Mohamed Mahmoud Elthokapy
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Accidental swallowing of coin then suffered dysphagia and pain.

Patient Data

Age: 5 years
Gender: Female
x-ray

Rounded radio-opaque structure (coin) is seen at the level of thoracic inlet/lower cervical region. The lateral view allows for the visualization that the foreign body is posterior to the trachea and therefore is within the esophagus.

Bilateral lungs are clear. No associated atelectasis. 

Upper abdomen is unremarkable.

Case Discussion

The patient's parents gave evident history of coin ingestion that prompted x-ray assessment. It is important to identify the location of the ingested foreign body whether in the esophagus or within the trachea. The lateral radiograph allows for this differentiation.

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