Nasal foreign bodies in children: should they have a plain radiograph in the accident and emergency?

Glynn, F., Amin, M. and Kinsella, J. (2008) Nasal foreign bodies in children: should they have a plain radiograph in the accident and emergency? Pediatric Emergency Care, 24(4), pp. 217-218. (doi: 10.1097/PEC.0b013e31816a9f1b) (PMID:18431219)

Abstract

Objectives: Primary Objective: To determine the proportion of children with nasal foreign bodies who had button batteries as the foreign body. Secondary Objective: To describe the clinical care and outcome of those children with a button battery foreign body. Methods: A retrospective review of all children presenting to the accident and emergency room with a nasal foreign body or unilateral nasal discharge during a 6-month period was assessed. Results: Forty-four children were included. The most common object found was a plastic bead (27%), followed by foam, paper, or tissue fragments (23%); food matter represented 15%. A button battery was found in 3 patients (7%); other foreign bodies included stones, buttons, crayons, erasers, and a pellet. Thiry-six (82%) had their foreign body removed without anesthetic and 8 (18%) required a general anesthetic. All 3 children with a button battery went undiagnosed until examination in the operating theater. Because there was no previous indication of the presence of a button battery in the 3 children, the removal of the foreign body under general anesthesia was scheduled for the following day. Conclusions: The removal of the button batteries would have been expedited had a plain radiograph been obtained, possibly resulting in less morbidity for our patients. We recommend a plain radiograph in all children presenting with a nonvisible foreign body or unilateral nasal discharge.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Kinsella, Professor John
• Authors: Glynn, F., Amin, M., and Kinsella, J.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing
• Journal Name: Pediatric Emergency Care
• Publisher: Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins
• ISSN: 0749-5161
• ISSN (Online): 1535-1815