About this episode
Author: Nick Hatch, M.D.
Educational Pearls
- Unlike coin ingestions, button batteries can cause necrosis of the GI tract.
- If lodged in the esophagus, removal within 2 hours is important, because they can cause problems such as strictures or esophago-aortic fistula.
- If the battery is in the stomach or beyond, it may be ok to let it pass but give strict return precautions.
- Small hearing aid batteries are not as dangerous, but still require close follow-up to ensure the battery passes.
- Delayed effects (after passage of the battery) are possible.
References: https://www.poison.org/battery/guideline
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