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Introduction:
Impaction of foreign body (FB) in the esophagus occurs most commonly in the peadiatric
age group between 6 months to 3 years.1 However, in the neonate the occurrence of FB in the esophagus
is quite rare with only a few reported cases in the literature. 2-7 It usually occurs in circumstances
where either it has been inserted in the mouth playfully by elder sibling or homicidal attempts of an unwelcome female child
in lower socioeconomic status families.4
Impaction of FB in oesophagus can result in serious complication and death.8
Therefore a rapid and early diagnosis, together with subsequent treatment are necessary to reduce the morbidity and
mortality in a neonate. We report a rare case of twin foreign body (glass marble) in a 30-days-old female neonate. Both
the foreign bodies were removed successfully by direct laryngoscopy using Mc gill’s forceps.
Case report
A 30 days old female neonate was brought to the department of Pediatrics, Government medical
college Patiala with the complaints of vomiting, drooling of saliva, cough, and cry on every attempt of feeding and poor
feeding for 3 days. There was no history of foreign body ingestion, but elder sibling playing with marbles around was present.
ENT consultation was taken to rule out FB ingestion. On examination baby had mild tachypnoea, but no stridor. Pulse rate was
144/min, and respiratory rate was 40/min. Air entry was mildly reduced on both sides. No significant finding was revealed
on Cardiovascular, abdominal and central nervous examination.
Suspecting a foreign body, an X-ray chest with AP and lateral view was done, which revealed
two radio opaque spherical foreign bodies approximately 1.5x1.5 cm in size each, present in the upper esophagus (Fig. 1 and 2).
First one was present at the level of C6-C7 vertebra and second was present at the level of T1-T2 vertebra. An endoscopic removal
was planned under general anesthesia. Both the foreign bodies (glass marble) were removed successfully using Mc gill’s forceps
under direct laryngoscopy. Postoperative period was uneventful. Patient was discharged after 48 hours.
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Fig. 1: X-ray Chest AP view showing spherical twin foreign body at cricopharynx and upper esophagus level. |
Fig. 2: X-ray Chest lateral view showing spherical twin foreign body at cricopharynx and upper esophagus level. |
Discussion
Although foreign body ingestion is common in pediatric age group, yet most of the foreign bodies
(80-90%) do not require any intervention. Endoscopic removal is required in 10-20% cases and only about 1% requires surgical
intervention. 9 Common sites for obstruction by an ingested oesophageal FB include cricopharyngeal area, and the
middle one-third of the oesophagus( at the level of aortic arch) and lower oesophageal sphincter (just above the diaphragm).
Ingestion of FB is very rarely encountered in neonates. Various foreign bodies like stone 3,4, ornament ring 5,
button 2, safety pin 6 and metallic (disc-battery)7 have been described in the literature.
Occurrence of such FB in neonates are seen in circumstances where it has been inserted in the mouth playfully by an elder
sibling or homicidal attempts for unwanted female child in lower socioeconomic families.4 In our case there was
no clear history of foreign body insertion, but there was history of elder sibling playing with marbles around was present.
However, homicidal attempt can not be ruled out completely in this case, as the patient belongs to lower socioeconomic
status and child was second female in the family with three elder siblings.
The severity of clinical symptoms depends upon the site, size composition and period for
which the FB has been present. The patient usually presents with dysphagia, drooling of saliva, vomiting, with cough,
respiratory distress and stridor. Respiratory distress is the most common manifestation of an FB in esophagus in neonates.2
The respiratory manifestation may be because of physical compression or erosion of trachea.7 In our case, the
patient had cough and mild respiratory distress with no stridor , probably because of short duration of impaction (3 days)
and smaller size of FB.
History and radiological examination are crucial for the diagnosis of FB ingestion in neonates.
Diagnosis of the FB in the esophagus is easier when the family members provide a leading history or the FB is opaque such
as coins, stones and marbles which are visible on plain X- rays like in our case. If the radiographs are negative, endoscopy
is preferred over barium swallow for radiolucent FBs.10 Computerized tomography, ultrasonography, magnetic
resonance imaging also has been used to recognize radiolucent FBs.
Endoscopic retrieval is the preferred method for oesophageal FBs in neonates.11
These can be removed by using Mc gill’s forceps under direct laryngoscopy.12 In cases of large and impacted FB,
open surgery by cervical exploration is preferred over endoscopic removal. In the present case both the FBs are removed
with the help of Mc gill’s forceps under direct laryngoscopy. Shorter duration of impaction and small size of FBs helped
us in removalof both FBs with Mc gill’s forceps.
Conclusion
A very rare case of twin foreign body (glass marble) in esophagus in a 30 days old
female neonate is reported. Such cases are a form of child abuse or neglect. Delayed diagnosis can result in serious
complications and death. Early diagnosis is of utmost importance to minimize morbidity and mortality.
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- Thapa B R, Kaur B, Nagi B, et al. Unusual foreign body (stone) in the esophagus of a neonate mimicking tracheoesophageal
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