Accidental ingestion of magnetic foreign body in a pediatric patient: A potentially fatal attraction

Radiology Case Reports

Usman Javaid, MD¹  Vassil Zefov, MD²  Huda Al Hashemi, MBBS³ 

[1] Corresponding author.;Department of diagnostic radiology, Dubai Health Authority, Dubai, United Arab Emirates;Department of pediatric surgery, Dubai Health Authority, Dubai, United Arab Emirates;

关键词: Foreign body;    Ultrasound;    Pediatric radiology;    Radiology;    Intestinal obstruction;   

DOI  :  

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Foreign body ingestion is one of the most common pediatric emergencies. As part of their cognitive development, infants and toddlers are extremely curious and constantly explore their surroundings through their senses, namely taste. The ubiquity of toys containing magnetic elements consecutively meant an increase in the cases of children ingesting said magnets. While most ingested foreign bodies, including a single magnet, will spontaneously traverse the gastrointestinal tract without problems, some may give rise to grave and potentially life-threatening complications; the latter is often seen in the presence of 2 or more magnets or paramagnetic material. The diagnosis of ingestion of magnetic foreign bodies remains a challenge, given its often ambiguous history and presentation; nonetheless, their abundance, gravity, and preventability of their complications alone should render physicians vigilant and keep a low threshold of suspicion.

【 授权许可】

Unknown