Magnetic toy ingestion leading to jejunocecal fistula in a child

• Published in: Saudi medical journal Vol. 31; no. 4; p. 442
• Main Authors: Ahmed, Ali M, Hassab, Mohamed H, Al-Hussaini, Abdulrahman A, Al-Tokhais, Tariq I
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Saudi Arabia 01.04.2010
• Subjects: Cecal Diseases - diagnosis; Cecal Diseases - diagnostic imaging; Cecal Diseases - surgery; Child, Preschool; Colonoscopy; Female; Foreign Bodies - diagnosis; Foreign Bodies - diagnostic imaging; Foreign Bodies - surgery; Humans; Intestinal Fistula - diagnosis; Intestinal Fistula - diagnostic imaging; Intestinal Fistula - surgery; Jejunal Diseases - diagnosis; Jejunal Diseases - diagnostic imaging; Jejunal Diseases - surgery; Magnetics; Radiography
• ISSN: 0379-5284

The accidental ingestion of a foreign body is a common problem in children, but ingestion of magnets is rare. When multiple magnets are ingested, they may attract each other and cause pressure necrosis through the bowel walls and eventually lead to serious complications like obstruction, perforation, and fistula formation. We report a case of a 5-year-old girl with jejunocecal fistula following ingestion of 2 magnet toys; it highlights the diagnostic challenge and the need for early surgical intervention in children especially when multiple magnets are ingested.