Esophageal foreign bodies (FBs) are common and can be the serious cause of morbidity and mortality in children. One-third of FBs, retained in the gastrointestinal tract, are found in the esophagus. Their management depends on the anatomical location, shape, size, and the duration of impaction. In children, unwitnessed esophageal FBs can present with respiratory symptoms such as stridor. Therefore, a high index of suspicion is generally required to avoid significant morbidity and mortality. We are reporting an unusual FB with unusual symptoms in a 2-year-old female child.
Chang MY, Chang ML, Wu CT. Esophageal perforation caused by fish vertebra ingestion in a seven-month-old infant demanded surgical intervention: A case report. World J Gastroenterol 2006;12:7213-5.
Eisen GM, Baron TH, Dominitz JA, Faigel DO, Goldstein JL, Johanson JF, et al. Guideline for the management of ingested foreign bodies. Gastrointest Endosc 2002;55:802-6.
Lee JH, Lee JS, Kim M J, Choe YH. Initial Location Determines Spontaneous Passage of foreign bodies from the Gastrointestinal Tract in Children. Paediatr Emerg Care 2011;27:284-89.
Shivakumar AM, Naik AS, Prashanth KB, Hongal GF, Chaturvedy G. Foreign bodies in upper digestive tract. Indian J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2006;58:63-8.
Muhammad R, Khan Z, Jamil A, Malik S. Frequency of esophageal foreign bodies and their site of impaction in patients presenting with foreign body aerodigestive tract. Eur Sci J 2013;9:1857.
Sardana P, Bais AS, Singh VP, Arora M. Unusual foreign bodies of the aerodigestive tract. Indian J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2002;54:123-6.
Macpherson RI, Hill JG, Othersen HB, Tagge EP, Smith CD. Esophageal foreign bodies in children: Diagnosis, treatment, and complications. AJR Am J Roentgenol 1996;166:919-24.