Lithium battery lodged in the oesophagus: A report of three paediatric cases. Issue 11 (November 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Barabino, Arrigo Vittorio; Gandullia, Paolo; Vignola, Silvia; Arrigo, Serena; Zannini, Lucio; Di Pietro, Pasquale
• Is Part Of: Digestive and liver disease. Volume 47:Issue 11(2015)
• Page Start: 984
• Page End: 986
• Publication Date: 2015-11
• Subjects: Digestive organs -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Liver -- Diseases -- Periodicals; 616.33005
• DOI: 10.1016/j.dld.2015.07.014
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1590-8658

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="author" id="abs0005"> <title id="sect0005">Abstract</title> <sec> <title id="sect0010">Background</title> <p id="spar0005">Over the last years the ingestion of disk batteries has become frequent in children with serious consequences. The severity of injuries is related to the growing use of new lithium batteries that may cause catastrophic damages when lodged in the oesophagus.</p> </sec> <sec> <title id="sect0015">Methods</title> <p id="spar0010">The notes of three consecutive children with lithium batteries lodged in the oesophagus, admitted to our Institute from 2010 to 2014, were reviewed. Clinical presentation, management, and outcome were considered.</p> </sec> <sec> <title id="sect0020">Results</title> <p id="spar0015">The first child, a 22-month-old girl, died of a sudden exsanguination due to an aorto-oesophageal fistula. The second case, a 5-year-old boy, had an exploratory thoracotomy to exclude aortic lesion before battery removal, and a spontaneous oesophageal perforation. The third child, a 18-month-old boy, fully recovered after suffering ulcerative oesophageal burns.</p> </sec> <sec> <title id="sect0025">Conclusion</title> <p id="spar0020">Lithium battery lodged in the oesophagus is a paediatric emergency requiring a multidisciplinary approach that can be implemented in a tertiary children's hospital.</p> </sec> </abstract>