Metallic Foreign Body Ingestion in A 5-Year-Old Child: The Plain Radiographic Findings and a Case Report

Author's Information:

Shamaki AMB

Radiology Department, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto

Sule MB

Radiology Department, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto

Umar AU

Radiology Department, Gombe State University, Gombe

Gele IH

Radiology Department, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto.

Abdullahi A

Pediatric Department, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto.

Vol 05 No 10 (2025):Volume 05 Issue 10 October 2025

Page No.: 234-236

Abstract:

Metallic foreign body ingestion in children is a common occurrence, especially among children aged below five years, and frequently involves items like coins, batteries and small toys. Most metallic objects pass through the digestive system without complications, certain objects such as batteries, multiple magnets, sharp and pointed objects require prompt intervention due to risk of serious injuries.

This is a 5-year-old male child with no history of mental instability, was reported to have ingested an oval metallic object but in a stable condition. He was referred for abdominal radiographs from a peripheral facility. These radiographs demonstrated oval metallic density opacity in the upper abdomen measuring about 10mm x 10mm in dimension but noted to descend inferiorly on the lateral projection. No intestinal obstructive features demonstrated currently. No any other abnormality demonstrated. The parents were advised to consult a pediatric surgeon/gastroenterologist for expertise management and prevent associated injury and complication.

We report a case of oval shaped metallic density foreign body ingestion in a 5-year-old mentally stable child due to its peculiar presentation

KeyWords:

Child, Metallic density, Foreign Body, Ingestion.

References:

  1. Latha GS, Mallikarjun GP, Babu V, Bhagwath KA. A rare case of ingestion of unusual foreign body in an adolescent girl. International Journal of contemporary Pediatrics. 2016;3:681-683.
  2. Dehghani N, Ludemann P. Aspirated foreign bodies in children: BC Children’s Hospital emergency room protocol. BCMJ. 2008; 50:252-256.
  3. Hunter TB, Taljanovic MS. Foreign bodies. RadioGraphics. 2003; 23:731-757.
  4. Uyemura MC. Foreign body ingestion in children. Am Fam Physician. 2005; 72:287-291.
  5. Schunk JE. Foreign Body-Ingestion/Aspiration. In: Fleisher GR, Ludwig S, Henretig FM, editors. Textbook of Pediatric Emergency Medicine. 5th ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins; 2006. pp. 307-314.
  6. Boumarah DN, Binkhamis LS, AlDuhileb M. Foreign body ingestion: Is intervention always a necessity?. Annals of Medicine and Surgery. 2022; 84:104944.
  7. Lyons L, Tsuchida L. Foreign bodies of the gastrointestinal tract. Med Clin. 1993; 77:1101-1104.
  8. AlMuhsin A, Alsalman F, Bubshait A, Abu Hajar R. Surgical management of massive metal bezoar. Cureus. 2021.
  9. Bisharat M, Spence A, McAree B, Lioe T, McManus D, Spence R, et al. Breast Cancer in women under 40- the Belfast experirnce. Eur J Surg Oncol. 2008; 34:1188.
  10. Airon A, Airon N, Airon D, Jain S, Malik R. Foreign body ingestion: Report of Two cases. JAMMR. 2022; 34:164-170.
  11. Lee JB, Ahmad S, Gale CP. Detection of coins ingested by children using handheld metal detector: A systemic review. Emerg Med J. 2005; 22:839-844.
  12. Arana A, Hauser B, Hachimi-Idrissi S. Management of ingested foreign bodies in childhood and review of the literature. Eur J Pediatr. 2001; 160:468-472.