Journal List > Korean J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr > v.14(3) > 1043516

Korean J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2011 Sep;14(3):299-304. Korean.
Published online September 30, 2011.  https://doi.org/10.5223/kjpgn.2011.14.3.299
Copyright © 2011 The Korean Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition
A Case of Magnet Ingestion in a Child with Autism: Gastro-Colonoscopic Removal without Surgical Complication
Joo Whee Kim, M.D., Mi Sun Lim, M.D., Soon Chul Kim, M.D., Eun Hye Lee, M.D., Jae Sung Ko, M.D. and Jeong Kee Seo, M.D.
Department of Pediatrics, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.

Corresponding author (Email: jkseo@snu.ac.kr )
Received August 19, 2011; Revised August 31, 2011; Accepted September 06, 2011.

Abstract

With the increasing use of magnets in toys, magnet ingestion is becoming a serious problem in children. Two or more magnets may attract across the gastrointestinal tract leading to pressure necrosis, perforation, fistula, volvulus or obstruction. We report a case of a 12-year-old boy with autism who presented with vomiting during seven days due to ingestion of 14 magnetic rods. Under general anesthesia, 5 of 14 magnets were removed from the second portion of the duodenum using a magnetic probe during endoscopy. The remaining magnets were not visible in the duodenum. A plain radiograph taken the next day revealed that the remaining magnets were impacted in the descending-sigmoid junction. One magnet passed spontaneously. However the other 8 magnets did not pass through the junction for 7 days. Five of 8 impacted magnets were removed by a colonoscopic procedure. After 2 hours of colonoscopy, one by one, the remaining three magnets spontaneously passed.

Keywords: Foreign body; Removal; Gastrointestinal endoscopy; Magnet; Children; Colonoscopy

Figures


 Fig. 1
Serial plain radiographs of the abdomen demonstrate foreign bodies. Five magnetic rods were found in the 2nd portion of the duodenum and removed by endoscopy performed on the 6th of August. After ten days, colonoscopy was performed and 5 of the remaining magnets were successfully removed; they were linearly stuck to each other and firmly impacted in the descending sigmoid junction.
Click for larger image


Fig. 2
Magnetic probe and attached magnetic rods are seen on endoscopic findings (A) and photography (B).
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Fig. 3
There was a colonoscopic finding of impacted magnets in the descending colon (A). The remaining three magnets spontaneously passed through (B).
Click for larger image

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