Esophageal foreign body: a case of a neonate with stridor

Pediatr Emerg Care. 2008 Dec;24(12):849-51. doi: 10.1097/PEC.0b013e31818ea100.

Abstract

We present a case of a 7-week-old female with a 3-week history of progressively worsening stridor who was admitted to rule out a congenital anomaly in the airway or vasculature. After 3 different imaging modalities, we discovered an esophageal foreign body causing esophagitis and proximal airway compression.Young infants with symptoms of stridor, wheezing, or retractions will often have a common diagnosis such as a viral infectious etiology, or in rarer cases an anatomic anomaly. This case illustrates that the presence of a foreign body must still remain on the differential, even in this age group.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Airway Obstruction / etiology
  • Deglutition Disorders / etiology
  • Diagnostic Errors*
  • Esophagitis / etiology
  • Esophagus*
  • Female
  • Foreign Bodies / complications
  • Foreign Bodies / diagnosis*
  • Foreign Bodies / diagnostic imaging
  • Gastroesophageal Reflux / diagnosis
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Pharyngitis / etiology
  • Respiratory Sounds / etiology*
  • Respiratory Tract Infections / diagnosis
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed