Mediastinal mass and radiolucent esophageal foreign body |
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Authors: | E T Fernandes R S Hollabaugh T Boulden |
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Institution: | Department of Pediatric Surgery and Pediatric Radiology, LeBonheur Children's Hospital, Memphis, TN 38103. |
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Abstract: | The diagnosis of radiolucent esophageal foreign bodies can be difficult, particularly in patients with predominant respiratory symptoms. The consequences of the impaction of a foreign body in the esophagus are serious, and esophageal stenosis, perforation, acquired tracheoesophageal fistulas are among the complications already reported. An unusual complication of a nondiagnosed radiolucent plastic coin that remained impacted for 11 months on the posterior esophageal wall of a 20-month-old child, who presented only with respiratory symptoms, is reported. The foreign body eroded through the esophageal wall, causing an intramural abscess that was initially interpreted as a mediastinal mass, and the patient was operated on with the diagnosis of a foregut duplication. Literature on this situation was reviewed, and the problems associated with the diagnosis and treatment of children with radiolucent esophageal foreign bodies are discussed. |
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