Unusual presentation of oesophageal foreign body in a Nigerian child

Abstract

Children commonly swallow various objects unknown to parents and guardians. Fear of being disciplined also add to their unwillingness to confess what they had done. In this paper a case is presented from the Ear, Nose and Throat Department of Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH) Sokoto of a ten year old child who was treated at various hospitals, for cough for seven years with stunted growth. Radiological investigations confirmed an oesophageal foreign body (coin) with consolidation and bronchiectatic changes in the right lung. Patient's symptoms resolved after removal of the foreign body. Simple chest x-ray should be done in all children with persistent cough especially when this is associated with growth retardation.


Key Words: Oesophageal foreign body, Lung complications, Growth retardation


Sahel Med. J. Vol.6(2) 2003: 63-65