International journal of pediatric otorhinolaryngology
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Int. J. Pediatr. Otorhinolaryngol. · Jun 2001
Case ReportsMediastinitis associated with foreign body erosion of the esophagus in children.
Timely and experienced intervention for esophageal foreign bodies generally allows for removal with minimal morbidity. However, esophageal foreign bodies present a risk for esophageal perforation and subsequent mediastinitis, especially if the diagnosis of the foreign body is delayed. Although much has been written about the management of esophageal foreign bodies and their complications, little has been mentioned in recent literature about the specific complication of mediastinitis. This review was performed to examine our experience with this uncommon complication of esophageal foreign bodies. ⋯ From review of this limited number of patients, in the absence of major vascular erosion, conservative methods of treating children with foreign body esophageal perforation and subsequent mediastinitis appears to be effective.