Caustics Flashcards
Button batteries,
What is the ideal size for a button battery to get lodged in the oesophagus?
> 20 mm diameter
What is an important predictor for morbidity and mortality with button battery ingestion?
Age <4 years old
What are two issues with button batteries that can cause morbidity?
1) Heavy metal toxicity, 2) Gut injury/oesophageal injury
What are the possible complications of button battery ingestion?
Oesophageal perforation, tracheo-oesophageal fistula, aorto-oesophageal fistula, stricture formation
How soon can a button battery start causing corrosive injuries?
Within 2 hours of ingestion
What are important features of the appearance of a button battery on xray?
AP: double ring/halo shape. Lateral: ‘step off’ appearance (differentiating it from a coin)
What do some specialists recommend with regards to larger button batteries in the stomach?
Repeat xray at 4 days and endoscopic retrieval if it has not passed by that point.
