title: Fatal complication from an alkaline battery foreign body in the esophagus.
abstract: Foreign bodies and alkali burns in the trachea and esophagus are potentially fatal. Some camera batteries contain 45% potassium hydroxide electrolyte which can leak and cause liquification necrosis upon tissue contact. This report describes a case of an alkali battery foreign body in the esophagus with a subsequent fatal course which was masked by steroid therapy. A discussion of corrosive burns of the esophagus, their etiology, clinical course and pathology is presented.
mesh_terms: D000468:Alkalies / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002057:Burns, Chemical / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003951:Diagnostic Errors; D004939:Esophageal Perforation / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology; D004945:Esophagoscopy; D004947:Esophagus / Q000473:pathology; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009336:Necrosis; D011859:Radiography; D014138:Tracheoesophageal Fistula / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D000468:Alkalies