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Acute airway obstruction, whether partial or complete, requires immediate intervention to prevent fatal outcomes. An 81-year-old man with a history of pneumonia experienced respiratory distress after attempting to swallow a large piece of meat. Despite attempts by his daughter, back blows and abdominal thrusts failed to dislodge the obstruction, and he collapsed, prompting an emergency call. Upon the arrival of the emergency medical team, the patient was conscious with good oxygen saturation but deteriorated during transport, becoming unresponsive and unable to cough. Upon assessment by the doctor helicopter team, the patient's condition was critical with low oxygen saturation and unstable vital signs. Using a laryngoscope, the team identified a large meat fragment near the vocal cords and successfully removed it, relieving the obstruction. The patient's respiratory distress improved, and he was transported to the hospital without the need for intubation. Further examination at the hospital revealed sinus tachycardia and lung abnormalities on a computed tomography scan but no significant abnormalities in blood tests. The patient was admitted for observation and received antibiotics for prophylaxis. He recovered well, with no further need for oxygen by the second day and was discharged on the fourth day, highlighting the importance of prompt intervention in airway emergencies., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The author(s) have no relevant disclosures. There was no grant funding or financial support for this manuscript., (Copyright © 2024 Air Medical Journal Associates. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Study Objective: Button battery ingestion can cause alkaline esophageal injury. There is interest in first-aid household products to neutralize the injury. The objective was to investigate which household products are effective at reducing button battery injury., Methods: Two cadaveric porcine experiments were performed. Experiment 1 utilized esophageal mucosal segments. A button battery (3VCR2032) was placed onto the mucosa, and substances (saline control, honey, jam, orange juice, yogurt, milk, and cola) were applied every 10 minutes for 6 applications. Tissue pH was measured every 10 minutes, and macroscopic ulceration size was assessed at 120 minutes. Experiment 2 used an intact esophageal model with a battery inserted into the lumen and jam, honey, and saline irrigation as per experiment 1. Tissue pH, macroscopic and histopathology changes were evaluated at 60, 90 and 120 minutes., Results: In experiment 1, only honey and jam had a lower mean tissue pH at 120 minutes (8.0 [standard deviation [SD] 0.9, n=12] and 7.1 [SD 1.7, n=12], respectively) compared to saline solution 11.9 (SD 0.6, n=6, P<.0001). Both honey (0.24 cm 2 , SD 0.17) and jam (0.37 cm 2 , SD 0.40) had smaller mean areas of ulceration compared to saline solution (3.90 cm 2 , SD 1.03, P<.0001). In experiment 2, honey and jam had significantly lower mean tissue pH at all timepoints compared to saline solution. Histologic changes were evident at 60 minutes in the saline group, whereas honey and jam exhibited no or minimal changes until 120 minutes., Conclusions: Honey and jam were able to neutralize injury caused by a button battery resulting in a smaller area of ulceration. Jam should be further explored as a possible first-aid option as an alternative to honey in suspected button battery ingestion prior to definitive management., (Copyright © 2023 American College of Emergency Physicians. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To examine, using the National Poison Data System (the data warehouse for poison control centers in the US), magnet foreign body injuries in pediatric patients. We sought to report demographic data, outcome data, and case trends between 2008 and 2019., Study Design: We conducted a retrospective analysis of the National Poison Data System for patients younger than 19 years of age with a magnet "exposure," which poison centers define as an ingestion, inhalation, injection, or dermal exposure to a poison., Results: A total of 5738 magnet exposures were identified. Most were male (3169; 55%), <6 years old (3572; 62%), with an unintentional injury (4828; 84%). There were 222 patients (3.9%) with a confirmed medical "effect," defined as signs, symptoms, and clinical findings not including therapeutic interventions (eg, endoscopy). There was a 33% decrease in cases from 418 (2008-2011) to 281 per year (2012-2017) after high-powered magnet sets were removed from the market. Calls subsequently increased 444% to 1249 per year (2018-2019) after high-powered magnet sets re-entered the market. Cases from 2018 and 2019 increased across all age groups and account for 39% of magnet cases since 2008., Conclusions: Significant increases in magnet injuries correspond to time periods in which high-powered magnet sets were sold, including a 444% increase since 2018. These results reflect the increased need for preventative or legislative efforts., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Patients who experience trauma to the eyelid or the orbit may present to their primary care providers or directly to the emergency room for evaluation of their injuries. These patients will often be in pain and may have bleeding around the eye, which can make evaluation of these patients difficult. Many traumatic injuries to the eye require quick and immediate intervention. In this article, we will review the background, anatomy, exam and management of some of the most common eye traumas including eyelid lacerations, orbital hemorrhages, intraorbital foreign bodies, and orbital fractures., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The Consumer Product Safety Risk Management System's injury and potential injury database records 13 cases of fidget spinner ingestion since 2016. In addition to a database query, we report 3 additional cases of fidget spinner ingestion to describe patient presentations and subsequent management strategies., (Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of a mandatory product recall on the frequency of multiple mini-magnet ingestion at a large tertiary pediatric hospital, and to examine the morbidity and mortality associated with these ingestions., Study Design: In this retrospective chart review, we searched our institution's electronic patient record for patients aged <18 years who had been diagnosed with ingested magnetic foreign bodies between 2002 and 2015, a period that included the mandatory product recall. We compared the frequency and character of ingestions before and after the recall., Results: Comparing the postrecall years (January 1, 2014, to December 31, 2015) with the 2 years immediately preceding the recall year (January 1, 2011, to December 31, 2012) yields an incidence rate ratio of 0.34 (95% CI, 0.18-0.64) for all magnet ingestions and 0.20 (95% CI, 0.08-0.53) for ingestion of multiple magnets. Based on the Fisher exact test, the incidence of both magnet ingestion (P < .001) and multiple magnet ingestion (P < .001) decreased, and the morbidity associated with magnet ingestion decreased. There were no deaths in either study period., Conclusion: There was a significant decrease in multiple mini-magnet ingestion following a mandatory product recall. This study supports the effectiveness of the recall, which should bolster efforts to keep it in place in jurisdictions where it is being appealed. More broadly, the result provides general evidence of a recall helping decrease further harm from a product that carries a potential hazard., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Coins are the foreign body most commonly ingested in infants and children. Coins retained in the esophagus require intervention to prevent complications. Management of retained esophageal coins remains variable both between and within institutions. We hypothesize that the incorporation of bougienage in the management of pediatric esophageal coins is safe and more cost-effective compared with traditional management strategies that use endoscopy., Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of infants and children diagnosed with an esophageal foreign body managed at Children's Hospital of Wisconsin between January 2003 and June 2012. Pediatric otolaryngologists (ear-nose-throat, ie, ENTs) or pediatric surgeons manage all children with esophageal foreign bodies in a prospective call schedule that alternates weekly., Results: During an 8.5-year period, 1,642 children were diagnosed with esophageal foreign bodies and 518 had a retained coin. For esophageal coins, ENT managed 218 cases and pediatric surgery managed 300. ENTs preferentially used endoscopy for coin removal, whereas pediatric surgeons used either endoscopy or esophageal bougienage for selected children meeting specific criteria. Bougienage was successful at advancing the coin into the stomach in 94% of patients, and endoscopy was successful at removing the coin from the esophagus in 100% of patients. The mean duration of stay was 0.6 days for endoscopy by ENT, 0.6 days for endoscopy by pediatric surgery, and 0.1 days for bougienage (P < .05). The median hospital charge was $4,593 for endoscopy by ENT, $5,379 for endoscopy by pediatric surgery, and $579 for bougienage (P < .05). There were 3 complications each in the endoscopy group for ENT and pediatric surgery. There were no complications in children undergoing bougienage., Conclusion: This is the first case series evaluating the management of children with esophageal coins using a prospective assignment to endoscopy versus endoscopy or bougienage. Our data support bougienage as a safe and cost-effective treatment for managing retained esophageal coins in selected children., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Study Objective: We describe magnetic foreign body injuries among children and obtain national estimates of magnetic foreign body injury incidence over time., Methods: We searched the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System for cases of magnetic foreign bodies in children younger than 21 years in the United States, from 2002 to 2011. Cases were analyzed by location: alimentary or respiratory tract, nasal cavity, ear canal, or genital area., Results: We identified 893 cases of magnetic foreign bodies, corresponding to 22,581 magnetic foreign body cases during a 10-year period (95% confidence interval [CI] 17,694 to 27,469). Most magnetic foreign bodies were ingested (74%) or intranasal (21%). Mean age was 5.2 years for ingested magnetic foreign bodies and 10.1 years for nasal magnetic foreign bodies (difference 4.9; 95% CI 4.1 to 5.6), suggesting different circumstances of injury. The incidence of pediatric magnet ingestions increased from 2002 to 2003 from 0.57 cases per 100,000 children per year (95% CI 0.22 to 0.92) to a peak in 2010 to 2011 of 3.06 cases per 100,000 children per year (95% CI 2.16 to 3.96). Most ingested magnetic foreign bodies (73%) and multiple magnet ingestions (91%) occurred in 2007 or later. Patients were admitted in 15.7% of multiple magnet ingestions versus 2.3% of single magnet ingestions (difference 13.4%; 95% CI 2.8% to 24.0%)., Conclusion: Magnet-related injuries are an increasing public health problem for young children, as well for older children who may use magnets for play or to imitate piercings. Education and improved magnet safety standards may decrease the risk small magnets pose to children., (Copyright © 2013 American College of Emergency Physicians. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Study Objective: We describe the demographics, characteristics, treatment, and clinical course of methamphetamine body stuffers. We also determine the clinical characteristics of methamphetamine body stuffers who have severe outcomes., Methods: A 6.5-year descriptive nonconcurrent observational case series evaluated methamphetamine body stuffers about whom the Oregon Poison Center was consulted by their primary physicians. Poison center charts were supplemented by completed hospital charts (for 95% of patients)., Results: Six hundred forty-eight patients with methamphetamine exposure were identified and reviewed, and 55 charts met the criteria for "methamphetamine body stuffer." We found the following characteristics of methamphetamine body stuffers: mean age 29 years (range 16 to 57 years), men in 44 of 55 cases (80%), mean time to arrival 2.7 hours after ingestion, with a median of 1 hour after ingestion. Ninety-seven percent (53/55) stuffed methamphetamine orally (2/55 rectally). Methamphetamine was most frequently swallowed in baggies, but 25% were unpackaged. The median dose ingested was 3.5 g of methamphetamine in 1 package. Outcome-based analysis revealed 29% (16/55) of patients had severe outcomes, as defined by end-organ toxicity, with agitation requiring intubation the most common severe outcome. There was 1 death reported. Toxicity did not appear to be related to the amount of methamphetamine or number of packets. Patients with severe outcomes had higher mean initial pulse rates and temperatures. Eighty-eight percent (14/16) of patients with severe outcomes had a presenting pulse rate greater than 120 beats/min or a temperature greater than 38 degrees C versus 18% (7/39) patients with a benign outcome. Twenty-four radiographic studies were obtained; none detected packets., Conclusion: Methamphetamine body stuffers have similar demographics to those of body stuffers of other stimulants, but tended to ingest fewer baggies with larger masses, and had a higher percentage of severe outcomes (29%) than previously reported with other stimulants. Increases in presenting pulse rate and temperature (pulse rate >120 beats/min or >38.0 degrees C) are common in patients who will develop end-organ damage., (Copyright (c) 2009 American College of Emergency Physicians. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Emergency physicians are frequently called on to remove impacted nasal foreign bodies in children. Multiple positive pressure techniques for the removal of nasal foreign bodies have been described. This case report details a previously unreported complication of barotrauma after the use of a published positive pressure technique that uses unmodulated piped hospital oxygen (wall oxygen) in the emergency department setting. We caution against the use of sustained, unmodulated positive pressure to dislodge a retained nasal foreign body.

Study Objective: We report our experience using the bougienage procedure in the management of esophageal coins., Methods: Observational case series of all patients presenting to our emergency departments with coins acutely lodged in the esophagus between 1994 and 2006. All patients were treated according to our protocol with either endoscopy or bougienage. Patients are eligible for bougienage if they have had a witnessed coin ingestion less than 24 hours before presentation and if esophageal coin position is confirmed by chest radiograph and there is no history of esophageal disease, surgery, or foreign body. Primary outcomes measured were complications, efficacy of procedure, hospital charges, length of stay, and return to the hospital. Length of stay and hospital charges data were gathered for patients presenting in the final 24 months of the study., Results: Six hundred twenty patients were identified as having esophageal coins. Three hundred fifty-five patients had a successful bougienage, and 17 patients had unsuccessful bougienage. By comparison, 248 patients underwent endoscopy, and the coin was successfully removed in all but 1 of these patients. Of patients undergoing endoscopy, 89 were eligible for bougienage, but patient, parent, or physician preference was for endoscopic management. Eleven patients required reevaluation or readmission for complaints related to esophageal coin. The only complication was subglottic edema, causing respiratory distress in a single patient who had undergone endoscopy. Patients undergoing endoscopy had an average length of stay of 6.1 hours and average hospital charges were $6,087. Patients undergoing bougienage had an average length of stay of 2.2 hours and average hospital charges of $1,884., Conclusion: In properly screened patients with coins acutely lodged in the esophagus, bougienage offers a safe and effective alternative to other methods of coin management.

Study Objective: To determine the efficacy and safety of bougienage performed by properly trained pediatric emergency medicine physicians to advance a recently ingested coin lodged in the esophagus into the stomach., Methods: We carried out a prospective study of consecutive cases at two university-affiliated pediatric hospitals. Our subjects were 31 children, each with an ingested coin lodged in the esophagus, who met criteria for bougienage: a single coin ingested in the preceding 24 hours, radiographically localized in the esophagus; no history of esophageal disease, esophageal surgery, or foreign body removal; and no sign of respiratory compromise. The bougienage procedure involved a single pass of a Hurst bougie dilator from the mouth to the stomach with the unsedated patient sitting upright., Results: In all cases, the coin was successfully advanced into the stomach with a single pass of the bougie dilator. No patient experienced an acute complication or delayed surgical complication related to the procedure. In one case the coin was vomited after the procedure and recovered without complications. Mild abdominal pain developed in two patients, who were reevaluated 2 weeks after the procedure. In each case the coin was present in the stomach and was removed endoscopically without subsequent complications., Conclusion: When used by trained emergency physicians, esophageal bougienage is a safe, effective, cost-containing treatment for dislodging and advancing ingested coins from the esophagus into the stomach that requires no sedation or general anesthesia.

Positive-pressure technique for the removal of nasal foreign bodies in children is an effective alternative to restraints and instrumentation, yet it is underused. A retrospective chart review in a community hospital over a 2-year period yielded 64 cases of pediatric nasal foreign bodies. Eight cases are presented in which the positive-pressure technique was used.

Food impaction and foreign body ingestion are significant and sometimes life-threatening medical problems. As described in part 1 of this monograph, a variety of techniques and instruments are available to diagnose and treat these conditions. The radiologist interested in interventional procedures can find ample opportunities to participate in the management of esophageal obstructions by applying radiographic and fluoroscopic techniques to the diagnosis and removal of foreign bodies and food impactions. The recommended radiologic procedures are relatively safe, cost-effective, and efficient methods of addressing these serious situations. Stricture formation in the gastrointestinal tract is another significant medical problem that can often be managed nonoperatively by the radiologist. Fluoroscopically guided balloon dilatation has become an accepted method of effectively treating a large variety of strictures. As described in part 2 of this article, the technique is easy to perform, usually with very little inconvenience to the patient, and the risks of complications are very low. The procedure is relatively inexpensive and does not require the acquisition of any specialized or high-technology equipment. Also, the technique can be performed easily by any radiologist with interest in interventional procedures on the gut. A wide use of the fluoroscopic methods for treatment of impacted foreign bodies and strictures of the gastrointestinal tract is recommended.

A 14-month-old boy suspected to have aspirated peanut fragments into the airways was transferred to our hospital. His chest radiographs revealed Holzknecht's sign, which indicated left mainstem bronchial obstruction. Magnetic resonance imaging with T1-weighted images clearly showed a high-intensity signal of peanut fragments in the left mainstem bronchus. Removal was performed by bronchoscopy in a shorter time under general anesthesia. Magnetic resonance imaging with T1-weighted images (T1WI) is useful for definitive diagnosis and location of peanut fragments in the lower airway because the peanut material appears as a high-intensity signal surrounded by the low-intensity lung tissue. Various slice orientations of T1WI provide accurate information concerning anatomic location of such fragments, thus facilitating removal by bronchoscopy.

Foreign bodies in the ear occasionally thwart conventional means of removal. Styrofoam can be particularly problematic because it can be compressed and become tightly impacted in an ear canal. Furthermore, Styrofoam is friable and tends to fragment with usual removal methods. We report the case of a 6-year-old girl who was referred from another tertiary care hospital after failed efforts to remove a painfully impacted piece of Styrofoam from her left ear canal. Instillation of the organic solvent acetone into the ear canal was well tolerated and caused rapid and near-complete dissolution of the Styrofoam impaction. This is the first reported case of organic solvent dissolution of an otic foreign body. Ototoxic considerations are discussed as is a method for safe acetone instillation that minimizes the amount of acetone introduced into the ear canal.

We used a Ralks eye magnet (no longer manufactured) to remove magnetic foreign bodies in four consecutive patients with metallic soft tissue foreign bodies. In all four cases, the foreign body was quickly located, requiring minimal soft tissue exploration, time, and radiography.

Study Objective: The treatment of live insects in patients' ears is controversial. To determine which chemical agent is most effective for immobilizing and killing intra-aural cockroaches, we carried out the following investigation., Design: An in vitro blinded comparative study., Interventions: A model was developed in which live cockroaches were submerged in microscope immersion oil, 2% lidocaine, 4% lidocaine, or 2% viscous lidocaine in a glass beaker. Responses of cockroaches were recorded with a video-cassette recorder and evaluated later by a blinded observer. Measured variables were time to death and time-integrated activity before death. Analysis was by analysis of variance with Tukey's procedure., Results: Four groups of 40 cockroaches each were exposed to each of the four agents. Microscope oil killed the insects most quickly (mean, 27.2 seconds; 95% confidence interval, 23.8 to 30.6). The other agents required more than 40 seconds and were inferior to oil (F = 15.5, P < .0001). Total activity was also least in the microscope oil group (F = 25.7, P < .0001)., Conclusion: Microscope immersion oil is the most effective agent for immobilizing and killing intra-aural cockroaches.

A healthy 4-year-old boy presented to the pediatric emergency department after inserting a black-eyed pea into his right external ear canal. Initial attempts at removal of this foreign body were unsuccessful, resulting in patient agitation. After administration of intramuscular ketamine for sedation, the patient was observed to experience one ineffective respiration followed by a period of apnea. No excessive oropharyngeal secretions or laryngospasm were noted. Spontaneous respirations resumed after 40 seconds, and the child recovered with no apparent ill effects. This case illustrates the need for adequate monitoring and preparation for emergency airway management when using ketamine for sedation in the ED.

Emphasis on a clear airway is a primary requisite for effective CPR. Airway control in the trauma victim needs special consideration of the possibility of associated cervical vertebrae and spinal cord injury; thus, modification of the patient positioning for transport is essential. Emphasis on visualization of chest movement is the most important factor in assessing adequacy of ventilation. Experience in the use of bag-valve-mask devices requires appropriate instruction and on-going practice. Small bag volume devices limit the ability to provide adequate tidal volumes and prolong inspiratory times. Tracheal intubation provides optimal airway management. In-field use of this procedure will depend upon the skill and experience of the operator. Validation of correctness of tracheal tube placement is critical; seeing the tube pass the glottic opening on laryngoscopy, bilateral and equal chest movement, auscultation of breath sounds in the chest. Methods to measure end-tidal CO2 as a valuable check for tube position is a useful adjunct but must not be relied upon. Foreign body management continues to be controversial and remains unchanged for the present; ie, the infant < 1 year of age the recommendations are back blows followed by chest thrusts. Above 1 year of age, abdominal thrusts (Heimlich maneuver) is recommended.

Background: Various types of brushes are efficient for the removal of foreign material accidentally projected into the skin by explosive or abrasive trauma., Objective: To evaluate how different times between injury and treatment influenced esthetic results, we retrospectively evaluated 14 patients subjected to the brushing technique., Methods: Two groups were identified. Group I had been treated within 24 hours of injury. In group II debridement had been performed later., Results: Cosmetic results were strikingly better in group I., Conclusion: Our results demonstrate that debridement of traumatic tattoos should be carried out as soon as possible to achieve favorable cosmetic results.

Within a few months of implantation, permanent pacemaker leads become ensheathed in fibrocollagenous tissue. This tissue may anchor the lead so that it is difficult, dangerous, or impossible to remove it. Leads with bulbous or finned tips are particularly resistant to extraction. The risks of applying traction to an entrapped lead include induction of bradycardia or ventricular tachycardia and fibrillation, invagination of the right ventricle, avulsion of the right ventricular myocardium or tricuspid valve, hemopericardium, and cardiac tamponade. Forceful traction may result in uncoiling of the conductor, disruption of the insulation, or complete fracture, leaving an intravascular remnant that may embolize or be a source for thrombosis. Although fixation and abandonment of an inactive chronically implanted lead is frequently appropriate and is known to pose little long-term risk, the retained inactive lead may interact adversely with a new active lead and then increase the risk of venous thrombosis, serve as a potential nidus for infection, or produce spurious electrical sensing signals that may be sensed by the pulse generator. Absolute indications for lead removal are those in which there would be a life-threatening situation if the lead were to remain in situ. In the absence of an absolute indication, the decision to proceed with extraction must be made by weighing the potential for serious morbidity or mortality against risks of the extraction technique. Techniques for lead removal include traction and open cardiotomy operations. When a portion of the lead is intravascular, forceps, snares, baskets, countertraction, or lead-transection devices may be used to retrieve the fragment.

A review of the identification of foreign body hand injuries is presented with criteria for removal of a foreign body in the emergency department. Indications for acute surgical intervention are presented, and expectant management is discussed.

The removal, without incident, of 14 nasal foreign bodies is described. None of the bodies was amenable to anterior instrumental extraction, and all were removed using a small-diameter Fogarty catheter.

One hundred twenty-five consecutive emergency department cases of pediatric gastrointestinal foreign body ingestions were analyzed retrospectively to tabulate data, identify high risk ingestions, and draw conclusions regarding the standard of care. Eleven patients (9%) were admitted for endoscopy or observation of high risk situations. Twenty patients (16%) were managed invasively, 19 with esophageal foreign bodies; 17 of 20 attempts at invasive management were successful. There was a 2% incidence of minor complications; no major complications (perforation, obstruction, bleeding, or mediastinal infection) or complications of invasive procedures were observed. High risk factors identified included the following: 1) the ingestion of rounded objects (esophageal impaction); 2) the presence of social, developmental, or psychiatric risk factors (29.6% incidence); and 3) esophageal disease (significantly associated with recurrent foreign bodies and frequent endoscopy or other surgical procedures). We conclude that, while asymptomatic gastric and intestinal foreign bodies can be managed with outpatient observation, hospitalization is indicated for endoscopic management and for symptom complexes suggestive of complication. Immediate endoscopy is recommended for removal of esophageal foreign bodies and for direct evaluation of the esophagus.

Foreign bodies embedded in soft tissue can cause toxic and allergic reactions, inflammation, or infection, but the severity of these complications varies widely. Removal can be difficult and time consuming, and the potential damage to tissues caused by the procedure must be weighed against the risk posed by a particular foreign body. Plain and mammographic radiography, xeroradiography, computed tomography, and ultrasonography can be used to detect foreign bodies suspected during clinical evaluation. The exact position of an object buried in soft tissue is difficult to determine using two-dimensional imaging techniques. Surface markers, multiple-projection radiographs, wire grids, fluoroscopy, or stereotaxic devices may help to locate it. Not all foreign bodies are discovered during the initial patient encounter; several signs reveal the presence of a retained foreign body in a wound.