Complicated Cases of Lithium Battery Ingestion: Delay can be Deadly

Abstract

Increasing use of button battery (BB) in household products and toys is responsible for the growing incidence of button battery ingestion (BBI). The BBI may cause life‑threatening complications. We present a series of three cases of complicated BBI (lithium cell) with delayed presentation; one of them could not survive due to tracheoesophageal fistula and sepsis. Here, we highlight the importance of early endoscopic intervention and careful follow‑up in children with lithium battery ingestion.

Keywords

• button battery
• disc battery
• esophageal stricture
• lithium cell
• tracheoesophageal fistula