Presentation
Witnessed insertion of foreign body in the left nostril with subsequent greenish nasal discharge.
Patient Data
Rounded radiopaque shadow of foreign body (disk battery) measuring 1.5 x 1.5 x 1.5 cm in the posterior aspect of the left nasal cavity.
Opacification of the corresponding nasal cavity.
Visualized paranasal sinuses are clear.
Case Discussion
Complications of foreign body insertion depend on location and the type of foreign body. They might include bleeding due to mucosal injury, remote migration, perforation, abscess formation, and sepsis.
In this case, a disc or button battery, although small in size with smooth margins, can be fatal. Heavy metal poisoning, sepsis and perforation can occur as such batteries contain alkaline corrosive agents.
An attempt to remove the battery in the Emergency department failed. It was then endoscopically removed under general anesthesia by an ENT physician. Mucosal and nasal turbinates corrosive effects were noticed during the attempt.