Disk Battery Ingestion in a Toddler: Less Than Meets the Eye

Background

Pediatric foreign-body ingestions are commonly managed by emergency physicians. Risk assessment and specific intervention are dependent on the nature and location of the foreign body. Radiographic evaluation is usually necessary to help define the clinical situation.

Case Report

We present an interesting case of presumed ingestion of several disk batteries by a toddler with an unexpected outcome, reviewing aspects of this clinical problem and highlighting potential pitfalls in medical decision making.

Why Should an Emergency Physician Be Aware of This?

Pediatric foreign-body ingestions are commonly managed in the emergency department, and timely and accurate intervention is dependent on correct defining and localization of the foreign body. This case illustrates potential pitfalls in this evaluation.