Multiple magnet ingestion causing entero-enteric fistula, and intestinal obstruction, A case report

Mohammed Rabea Balaswad, Egyptian Fellowship registrar, Department of pediatric surgery, Al-Galaa Teaching Hospital, GOTHI, Cairo, EgyptFollow
Wael Ghorab, Consultant of pediatric surgery, Department of pediatric surgery, Al-Galaa Teaching Hospital, GOTHI, Cairo, Egypt.

Article Type

Case Report

Subject Area

Pediatric Surgery

Abstract

INTRODUCTION Foreign body ingestions in children are incredibly common. Magnet intake might be asymptomatic or cause evident symptoms, allowing for effective diagnosis and care. The condition is rare and difficult to diagnose until complications such as bowel obstruction or peritonitis arise from intestinal wall trapping in a magnetic field. CASE PRESENTATION A five-year-old male boy presented with history of intestinal obstruction, received admission to our hospital after his plain X-ray revealed some foreign entities thought to be magnets. An abdominal X-ray showed a bullet-shaped foreign body in the lower abdomen. Laboratory tests were normal, with the exception of a minor leukocytosis. The surgery involved the excision of the entero-enteric fistula and intestinal anastomoses. DISCUSSION The prevalence of magnets and toys has led to an increase in unintentional ingestion. Typically, they pass through the gastrointestinal system without any complications. Ingestion of multiple magnets might call for surgical intervention to resolve. Throughout 2003 to 2006, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported a magnet ingestion in 20 cases, aged from ten months to eleven years. Of them, 75% had bowel perforations and 20% had widespread peritonitis. Half of the patients required an emergency laparotomy. Magnet ingestion is often diagnosed as a result of complications like peritonitis or even death. However, the patient in our case was asymptomatic and had no consequences. CONCLUSION The article highlights the dangers of numerous magnets passing the pylorus and the importance of surgical management. In asymptomatic cases of suspected magnet ingestion, a high level of suspicion should be maintained for potential consequences. Avoid postponing intervention when a diagnosis has been established.

IRB Number

Not applicable.

Keywords

Magnetics ingestion; Intestinal fistula; Foreign bodies; Case report; Child

Recommended Citation

Balaswad, Mohammed Rabea and Ghorab, Wael (2024) "Multiple magnet ingestion causing entero-enteric fistula, and intestinal obstruction, A case report," Journal of Medicine in Scientific Research: Vol. 8: Iss. 2, Article 12.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.59299/2537-0928.1437