The dangers of magnet ingestion are well known. When multiple magnets are ingested, interventional removal is often necessary to prevent and/or treat complications. Despite reports of both endoscopic and surgical techniques in the literature, there is a lack of clear guidance on the best method for removal of high-power magnets when they are embedded within the intestinal wall (increasing concern for fistulation, perforation, and bowel wall necrosis). This case demonstrates the successful endoscopic removal of magnetic balls incidentally identified on X-ray and found to be embedded in the duodenal wall in a critically ill 2-year-old patient. Endoscopic removal can be considered in similar situations, if all resources (interventional endoscopy and pediatric surgery) are available to proceed safely.
Keywords: endoscopy; foreign body; magnets; pediatric ingestion.
© 2024 The Authors. JPGN Reports published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of The European Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition and the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition.