A radiolucent esophageal foreign body: Diagnosis, management, and potential complications

By Plowman RS, Dance L, Barnes C, Jorgensen SA, Towbin AJ, Towbin R

CASE SUMMARY

An 8-year-old boy presented to the emergency department with odynophagia of secretions, dysphagia of liquids, and sialorrhea. His exam was negative for stridor, hypoxia, and aphonia. The patient was slightly tachycardic and afebrile. He had no relevant medical history or prior imaging.

IMAGING FINDINGS

AP chest radiograph (Figure 1) demonstrated a subtle round radiolucent mass-like object projecting over the esophagus at the level of the C5-C6 interspace. AP and lateral neck radiographs (Figure 2) demonstrated the 2.4 cm radiolucent object with radial spoke-like lines extending peripherally. The object extends from the C4 to C6 vertebral bodies. The object appears to fill the esophageal lumen with prominent proximal esophageal dilatation and paraesophageal soft tissue edema resulting in mild focal narrowing of the trachea posteriorly.

Gross specimen (Figure 3A) following open rigid laryngoscopic retrieval reveals a small intact plastic wheel from a toy truck, with impressive radiographic resemblance (Figure 3B).

DIAGNOSIS

Radiolucent impacted esophageal foreign body.

Clinical differential diagnosis: mediastinal mass, esophagitis, or esophageal stricture.

DISCUSSION

Ingested and aspirated foreign bodies (FB) occur frequently among children and can pose a significant risk in the pediatric population.1-9 Every year more than 100,000 ingested FBs occur in the U.S. Of these, >85% occur in children.1,2 FB ingestion tends to be more common in males and children under age 3.1,9 Esophageal foreign body ingestion is the number one cause of mortality from unintentional injury in children under 1 year of age.1,3 Toys and toy pieces are among the most commonly ingested radiolucent items.1 Batteries, magnets (especially multiple), sharp objects, larger objects (>5cm) or caustic materials deserve particular attention and often prompt endoscopic removal (required in ~10-20% of cases).3-9

Clinical sequelae from FB ingestion include; perforation (most common), corrosive injury (batteries), and airway compromise.3,4,7-9 Imaging plays an important role in the diagnosis of ingested or aspirated foreign bodies and in guiding clinical management.1,8 Impaction of a FB most often occurs within the esophagus at one of three locations in decreasing order of propensity: (1) upper esophageal sphincter (~C6), (2) aortic arch impression (~T4/5), and (3) lower esophageal sphincter (~T10/11). 1,3,8 All objects impacted in the esophagus such as in this case, require urgent or emergent treatment, especially when soft tissue swelling portends airway compromise.1,7,9 Management depends largely on the item ingested, timing of ingestion, and location and prompt identification and localization is critical.2,4,6-9

Radiography (frontal and lateral) of the neck, chest and abdomen is the most common modality for evaluating ingested FBs (catching ≥80%).1-3,8 However, fluoroscopy and CT (w/contrast) can play a unique role in evaluating radiolucent bodies (≥35% of all ingested objects).1,2,4,8,10 This is seen with plastic (as in our case), wood (9% toothpick sensitivity), bones, aluminum, and food particles. Unfortunately, a “normal” radiograph does not exclude an impacted FB.3,4,10 Such objects are more likely to become chronic FBs posing problems by masquerading as masses and/or inciting inflammatory/granulomatous reactions, obstructing the esophagus or trachea, bleeding, abscess development, fistula formation, or stricturing.4,6-8 As such, radiologists should maintain high suspicion when the airway appears narrowed, with proximal esophageal dilatation (above the obstruction), or with paraesophageal soft tissue swelling.2,8,10 Other clinical signs of impaction include odynophagia, dysphagia, and sialorrhea (all present in this case).1,2,4,6-8 Other concerning signs of airway compromise might also include: stridor, cough, wheezing, and fever.6,7

CONCLUSION

Radiography plays a critical role in the diagnosis and management of ingested and aspirated FBs, especially in the pediatric population. Prompt radiologic recognition of impacted FBs is necessary for adequate treatment, as some ingested objects oblige emergent/urgent retrieval (i.e. batteries, magnets, sharps, larger impacted objects). Quickly identifying the radiographic signs of impaction and aspiration is also crucial, especially as many FBs are radiolucent. While radiography remains the modality-of-choice in diagnosing ingested and aspirated FBs, fluoroscopy and enhanced CT can prove very helpful with radiolucency and other complicated cases. Complications of retained FBs include inflammation, obstruction, bleeding, abscesses, fistualization, strictures, or even death. Endoscopic retrieval may be necessary in up to 20% of cases.

REFERENCES

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Plowman RS, Dance L, Barnes C, Jorgensen SA, Towbin AJ, Towbin R. (Apr 05, 2018). A radiolucent esophageal foreign body: Diagnosis, management, and potential complications. Appl Radiol. 2018; 47(4):28-29.

Prepared by Dr. Plowman while practicing at the Mayo Clinic Arizona, Scottsdale, AZ; Dr. Dance, Dr. Barnes, Dr. Jorgensen and Dr. Richard Towbin while practicing at Phoenix Children’s Hospital, Phoenix, AZ; and Dr. Alexander Towbin while practicing at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, Cincinnati, OH.

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