Patient selection: disc battery ingestion known or suspected
Indications for localization of the battery:
(1) age <= 12 years of age OR battery diameter > 12 mm
(2) history of esophageal disease
(3) multiple batteries swallowed
(4) concurrent ingestion of a magnet
(5) symptomatic
A battery lodged in the esophagus can cause a caustic burn within 2 hours of swallowing. Serious injury may develop before the person reports symptoms.
Management of a disc battery lodged in the esophagus:
(1) Remove the battery as soon as possible, preferably by endoscopy.
(2) Do not delay because of recent eating or because the patient is asymptomatic.
(3) Try to determine the mucosal contact point for the negative pole of the battery.
(4) Inspect the mucosa for evidence and depth of any caustic burn.
The patient should be monitored for complications:
(1) A serious burn may require hospitalizaton and aggressive management.
(2) The patient should be able to return for assessment during the next 3 weeks in the event of delayed complications.
(3) Late complications such as stricutre may appear over weeks or months.
