quiz Disc battery ingestion

[Admin]

An ill appearing toddler is evaluated in the emergency department two days after ingesting a disc battery. A chest radiograph reveals the battery impacted in the esophagus and a right hydropneumothorax. At endoscopy, the battery is retrieved and an acquired tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) is suspected. Which of the following regarding disc battery ingestion is true?

A Emergent TEF repair is required.
B The likelihood of complications is related to the size of the battery ingested.
C Emergent retrieval is indicated for ingested batteries in the small intestine.
D The incidence of serious complications due to disc battery ingestion is decreasing.
E Most batteries are ingested after being left outside of their intended devise

[Ahmed Nabil]

Click this button to show answer

SPOILERB The likelihood of complications is related to the size of the battery ingested.

Batteries lodged in the esophagus cause damage by generating a current that causes electrolysis of tissue fluids. Batteries less than 15 mm in diameter are unlikely to lodge in the esophagus. There has been a six fold increase in the number of major complications related to disc battery ingestion in the last fifteen years with 20 mm lithium batteries now responsible for most esophageal injuries.

[Ahmed Nabil]

Click this button to show answer

SPOILERB The likelihood of complications is related to the size of the battery ingested.

Batteries lodged in the esophagus cause damage by generating a current that causes electrolysis of tissue fluids. Batteries less than 15 mm in diameter are unlikely to lodge in the esophagus. There has been a six fold increase in the number of major complications related to disc battery ingestion in the last fifteen years with 20 mm lithium batteries now responsible for most esophageal injuries.