Severe Esophageal Injuries Caused by Accidental Button Battery Ingestion in Children

Overview

Journal J Emerg Trauma Shock

Specialty Emergency Medicine

Date 2014 Nov 18

PMID 25400396

Citations 14

Authors

Sara Fuentes

Indalecio Cano

Maria Isabel Benavent

Andres Gomez

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Introduction: Button batteries represent a low percentage of all foreign bodies swallowed by children and esophageal location is even less frequent. However, these cases are more likely to develop severe injuries. The aim of this essay is to report three cases treated in our institution and review previous reports.

Material And Methods: Chart review and literature search.

Case Reports: We treated three children between 2-7- years old with button batteries lodged at esophagus. They all presented esophageal burns (EB), which evolved in esophageal stenosis in two out of the three cases.

Results: We found 29 more cases in literature and the injuries included EB, esophageal perforation (EP) and tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF).

Discussion: Swallowed button batteries rarely remain in esophagus, but these cases present a higher risk of tisular damage. Injuries can take place even after few hours; and therefore, endoscopy must be performed as soon as possible. Further study on button batteries' safety and the establishment of a maximum size for them would be good preventive measures.

Citing Articles

Button Battery Ingestion in a Neonate: Risk, Management, and Implications.

Sindi S, Al-Harbi S Am J Case Rep. 2025; 26:e944479.

PMID: 39910792 PMC: 11809932. DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.944479.

Ask Doctor Smartphone! An App to Help Physicians Manage Foreign Body Ingestions in Children.

Di Mitri M, Parente G, Bisanti C, Thomas E, Cravano S, Cordola C Diagnostics (Basel). 2023; 13(20).

PMID: 37892106 PMC: 10606892. DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13203285.

Analyzing Overlaid Foreign Objects in Chest X-rays-Clinical Significance and Artificial Intelligence Tools.

Roy S, Santosh K Healthcare (Basel). 2023; 11(3).

PMID: 36766883 PMC: 9914243. DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11030308.

Cylindrical and button battery ingestion in children: a single-center experience.

Akilov K, Asadullaev D, Yuldashev R, Shokhaydarov S Pediatr Surg Int. 2021; 37(10):1461-1466.

PMID: 34191051 DOI: 10.1007/s00383-021-04953-8.

Idiopathic Cervical Esophageal Webs: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Petrea O, Stanciu C, Muzica C, Sfarti C, Cojocariu C, Girleanu I Int J Gen Med. 2020; 13:1123-1127.

PMID: 33235485 PMC: 7679475. DOI: 10.2147/IJGM.S278999.

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