The needle and the damage done: pericardial effusion with tamponade after needle ingestion in an infant.
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.
Fennessy
B G
BG
Department of Otolaryngology and Communication Enhancement, Children's Hospital Boston, Massachusetts, USA. brendanfennessy@yahoo.com
Rahbar
R
R
Bunker
N
N
Pigula
F
F
Casta
A
A
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