Korean J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr.  2011 Sep;14(3):299-304. 10.5223/kjpgn.2011.14.3.299.

A Case of Magnet Ingestion in a Child with Autism: Gastro-Colonoscopic Removal without Surgical Complication

• Kim JW
• Lim MS
• Kim SC
• Lee EH
• Ko JS
• Seo JK

• KMID: 2276889
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5223/kjpgn.2011.14.3.299

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.

Keyword

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

MeSH Terms

Anesthesia, General
Autistic Disorder
Child
Colonoscopy
Duodenum
Eating
Endoscopy
Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal
Fistula
Foreign Bodies
Gastrointestinal Tract
Humans
Intestinal Volvulus
Magnetics
Magnets
Necrosis
Play and Playthings
Vomiting

Figure

• 

  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.

• 

  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).

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