Mediastinal mass and radiolucent esophageal foreign body.
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.
Fernandes
E T
ET
Department of Pediatric Surgery and Pediatric Radiology, LeBonheur Children's Hospital, Memphis, TN 38103.
Hollabaugh
R S
RS
Boulden
T
T
D000038:Abscess / Q000209:etiology*; D001464:Barium; D004947:Esophagus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008480:Mediastinitis / Q000209:etiology*; D011859:Radiography
D001464:Barium