Plain films in the evaluation of batteries as esophageal foreign bodies.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the sensitivity and specificity of plain films in differentiating coin batteries from coins.


METHODS
Study was conducted at a tertiary referral university medical center.


METHODS
Eleven radiographs were taken of various objects and independently reviewed by 14 radiologists and otolaryngologists. Reviewers were asked to identify the object filmed as either a battery or not a battery. In addition, otolaryngologists were asked if they would immediately proceed to the operative suite for removal based on the film. Results were tabulated and analyzed using a spreadsheet.


RESULTS
Overall, plain films had a sensitivity and specificity of 80.4% and 79.1%, respectively with an overall accuracy of 79.8%. When used as a test to determine urgency of removal, sensitivity increases to 94.4% while specificity decreases to 67.1% with an overall accuracy of 83.1%.


CONCLUSIONS
Plain films are an effective method of evaluating for the possibility of batteries as esophageal foreign bodies.
Lee
Steve C
SC
Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA. neoender@gmail.com
Ebert
Charles S
CS
Fordham
Lynn
L
Rose
Austin S
AS
D000046:Academic Medical Centers; D002648:Child; D011211:Electric Power Supplies; D004947:Esophagus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D011859:Radiography; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity