title: A case for early bronchoscopic airway assessment after disc battery ingestion.
abstract: Disc battery ingestion in children is becoming increasingly common with the proliferation of small battery-powered electronic devices. In the case of esophageal impaction, the likelihood and severity of complications are proportionate to the time between ingestion and removal. Tracheo-esophageal fistulae (TOF) are a recognized complication and can be life-threatening. We describe an interesting case of disc battery ingestion with delayed recognition of a TOF. We document the tracheal mucosal healing process of a large airway defect and describe the role of bronchoscopy in guiding the timing of surgical intervention. This case highlights the important role of early bronchoscopic assessment in management of these patients.
authors.affiliation: Queensland Children's Respiratory Centre, Royal Children's Hospital, Brisbane, Australia; Queensland Children's Medical Research Institute, University of Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Danielle F
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Wurzel
authors.forename: I Brent
authors.initials: IB
authors.lastname: Masters
authors.forename: Kelvin L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Choo
authors.forename: Alan F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Isles
mesh_terms: D001999:Bronchoscopy; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D011211:Electric Power Supplies; D004946:Esophagostomy; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D005774:Gastrostomy; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D053120:Respiratory Aspiration / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D014138:Tracheoesophageal Fistula / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery
keywords: acquired tracheo-esophageal fistula; button battery ingestion; disc battery ingestion; paediatric bronchoscopy