Nasal foreign body

Case contributed by Chris O'Donnell
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Child complaining of sore nose. Mother can't find a battery she left on the counter.

Patient Data

Age: 3 years
Gender: Male
x-ray

Metallic foreign body (battery) in a sagittal orientation within the posterior right nasal cavity.

Case Discussion

Most button or disc batteries (as in this case) pass easily through the gastrointestinal tract if ingested, although there is a risk of perforation (<1%) or battery fracture, which can cause heavy metal poisoning or perforation from their caustic contents 1

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