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Case Reports
. 2014 Oct;7(4):316-21.
doi: 10.4103/0974-2700.142773.

Severe esophageal injuries caused by accidental button battery ingestion in children

Sara Fuentes  1 , Indalecio Cano  1 , María Isabel Benavent  1 , Andrés Gómez  1
Affiliations
Case Reports

Severe esophageal injuries caused by accidental button battery ingestion in children

Sara Fuentes et al. J Emerg Trauma Shock. 2014 Oct.

Abstract

Introduction: Button batteries represent a low percentage of all foreign bodies swallowed by children and esophageal location is even less frequent. However, these cases are more likely to develop severe injuries. The aim of this essay is to report three cases treated in our institution and review previous reports.

Material and methods: Chart review and literature search.

Case reports: We treated three children between 2-7- years old with button batteries lodged at esophagus. They all presented esophageal burns (EB), which evolved in esophageal stenosis in two out of the three cases.

Results: We found 29 more cases in literature and the injuries included EB, esophageal perforation (EP) and tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF).

Discussion: Swallowed button batteries rarely remain in esophagus, but these cases present a higher risk of tisular damage. Injuries can take place even after few hours; and therefore, endoscopy must be performed as soon as possible. Further study on button batteries' safety and the establishment of a maximum size for them would be good preventive measures.

Keywords: Button battery; esophageal burn; esophageal foreign body.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest: None declared.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
EB after removal of the battery
Figure 2
Figure 2
Button battery covered in debris and EB
Figure 3
Figure 3
Chest x-ray image showing foreign body on theoretical position of middle esophagus
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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