20 mm lithium button battery causing an oesophageal perforation in a toddler: lessons in diagnosis and treatment

• Published in: Archives of Disease in Childhood Vol. 97; no. 8; p. 746
• Main Authors: Soccorso, Giampiero, Grossman, Ole, Martinelli, Massimo, Marven, Sean S, Patel, Kirtik, Thomson, Mike, Roberts, Julian P
• Format: Report
• Language: English
• Published: BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health 01-08-2012
• ISSN: 0003-9888; 1468-2044
• DOI: 10.1136/archdischild-2012-301631

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.