Coin ingestions

EMKF First Aid & Health

  • More than 100,000 foreign body ingestions are reported in children each year; coins are #1 cause
  • Although not always 100% true, coins typically appear circular on an AP Xray of the neck when in the esophagus and linear when in the trachea
  • Coins usually pass without issue, but warning signs are drooling, dysphagia, hoarse voice, wheezing, or stridor
  • 10-20% require endoscopy for removal and 1% require surgery
  • Objects lodged in the middle esophagus should raise concern for underlying pathology such as strictures, masses, or webs

EMKF

Emergency Medicine Kenya Foundation (EMKF) is a not-for-profit (NGO) public benefit organisation registered in Kenya