Mediastinitis and retropharyngeal abscess following delayed diagnosis of glass ingestion. Issue 2 (26th January 2006)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Allotey, J; Duncan, H; Williams, H
• Is Part Of: Emergency medicine journal. Volume 23:Issue 2(2006)
• Page Start: e12
• Page End: e12
• Publication Date: 2006-01-26
• Subjects: TPN, total parenteral nutrition -- ENT, ear, nose, and throat, PICU, paediatric intensive care unit; retropharyngeal -- abscess -- x ray -- foreign body; Emergency medicine -- Periodicals; 616.02505
• DOI: 10.1136/emj.2004.020867
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1472-0205

Abstract

Abstract : Foreign body ingestion is a common occurrence in childhood. We report the outcome of an infant who swallowed a piece of glass. The absence of a foreign body on chest radiograph led to delayed diagnosis and then to the well documented complications of retropharyngeal abscess and mediastinitis. She was admitted to the paediatric intensive care unit a week after her initial presentation, subjected to multiple invasive and non-invasive procedures, and 6 weeks after her initial presentation to the accident and emergency department, was discharged back to her referring hospital having re-established oral feeds.