title: The needle and the damage done: pericardial effusion with tamponade after needle ingestion in an infant.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Paediatric foreign bodies may present with vague and nonspecific symptoms. It is important to have a high index of suspicion when managing such cases.
  
  
  METHODS
  We report the case of a nine-month-old infant who presented with a wheeze, cough and fever following ingestion of a needle.
  
  
  RESULTS
  This patient developed pericardial tamponade as a consequence of the needle ingestion, and required a thoracotomy for retrieval. We discuss the pathophysiology involved and the surgery required.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pericardial tamponade is a rare but potentially fatal manifestation of an ingested foreign body.
authors: Department of Otolaryngology and Communication Enhancement, Children's Hospital Boston, Massachusetts, USA. brendanfennessy@yahoo.com
authors: B G
authors: BG
authors: Fennessy
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Rahbar
authors: N
authors: N
authors: Bunker
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Pigula
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Casta
mesh_terms: D002305:Cardiac Tamponade / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009339:Needles; D010490:Pericardial Effusion / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D013908:Thoracotomy; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome