title: 20 mm lithium button battery causing an oesophageal perforation in a toddler: lessons in diagnosis and treatment.
abstract: Swallowed button batteries (BB) which remain lodged in the oesophagus are at risk of serious complications, particularly in young children. The authors report a 3-year-old child, who rapidly developed an oesophageal perforation, following the ingestion of a 20-mm lithium BB which was initially mistaken for a coin. A thoracotomy and T-tube management of the perforation led to a positive outcome. BBs (20 mm) in children should be removed quickly and close observation is required as the damage initiated by the battery can lead to a significant injury within a few hours.
authors.affiliation: Paediatric Surgery Unit, Sheffield Children's NHS Foundation Trust, Western Bank, Sheffield, South Yorkshire S10 2TH, UK. giampsoccorso@doctors.org.uk
authors.forename: Giampiero
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Soccorso
authors.forename: Ole
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Grossman
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Martinelli
authors.forename: Sean S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Marven
authors.forename: Kirtik
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.forename: Mike
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Thomson
authors.forename: Julian P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Roberts
mesh_terms: D002675:Child, Preschool; D011211:Electric Power Supplies / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004939:Esophageal Perforation / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D004945:Esophagoscopy; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D006872:Hydropneumothorax / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D008094:Lithium; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography; D013908:Thoracotomy; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D008094:Lithium