A Pediatric Radiology textbook and Pediatric Radiology digital library
Gastrointestinal Foreign Body
Etiology: anything
Imaging: foreign bodies get stuck at cricopharyngeal sling at C6 / aortic arch / lower esophageal sphincter / pylorus of stomach / ileocecal valve, button battery has double rim on AP view + step off on lateral view while coin does not
Complications: long standing foreign bodies can cause airway compression + esophageal erosion / fistula
Clinical: button batteries and rare earth magnets must be removed immediately
Cases of Gastrointestinal Foreign Body
Lateral spot images from an upper GI show fixed narrowing of the trachea (left + middle) with an esophageal perforation / fistula arising from the anterior wall of the esophagus (right). Endoscopy done earlier in the day removed a set of plastic wheels from a toy car which was felt to have been present for a long time as the esophagus was ulcerated and edematous in the area of perforation.