J Korean Surg Soc.  2009 Apr;76(4):270-272. 10.4174/jkss.2009.76.4.270.

Ileal Perforation Caused by Ingestion of Multiple Magnets

• Chang YS
• Song JY
• Choi SI

• KMID: 1465068
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4174/jkss.2009.76.4.270

Abstract

Ingestion of foreign bodies is a common clinical problem encountered in early childhood. But ingestion of multiple magnets can cause serious lethal complications. Magnets located within another bowel loop may attract each other across the intestinal walls, resulting pressure necrosis, bowel perforation, fistula formation, intestinal obstruction, and death. Clinicians who care for children should be aware of this unexpected risk of magnetic ingestion. We report a case of ileal perforation caused by ingestion of multiple magnets in a child.

Keyword

Magnets; Foreign body; Ileal perforation

MeSH Terms

Child
Eating
Fistula
Foreign Bodies
Humans
Intestinal Obstruction
Magnetics
Magnets
Necrosis

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Abdominal X-ray shows metallic foreign body in the middle of abdomen (arrow) and dilatation of bowel loop. Foreign body appears as a single object.

• 

  Fig. 2 Schematic drawing of operative findings of multiple ileal perforations caused by attraction of magnets across the bowel wall.

Reference

1. Schwartz GF, Polsky HS. Ingested foreign bodies of the gastrointestinal tract. Am Surg. 1976. 42:236–238.

2. Alzahem AM, Soundappan SS, Jefferies H, Cass DT. Ingested magnets and gastrointestinal complications. J Paediatr Child Health. 2007. 43:497–498.

3. Cauchi JA, Shawis RN. Multiple magnet ingestion and gastrointestinal morbidity. Arch Dis Child. 2002. 87:539–540.

4. Lee SK, Beck NS, Kim HH. Mischievous magnets: unexpected health hazard in children. J Pediatr Surg. 1996. 31:1694–1695.

5. Hachimi-Idrissi S, Corne L, Vandenplas Y. Management of ingested foreign bodies in childhood: our experience and review of the literature. Eur J Emerg Med. 1998. 5:319–323.

6. Hernandez Anselmi E, Gutierrez San Roman C, Barrios Fontoba JE, Ayuso Gonzalez L, Valdes Dieguez E, Lluna Gonzalez J, et al. Intestinal perforation caused by magnetic toys. J Pediatr Surg. 2007. 42:E13–E16.

7. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Gastrointestinal injuries from magnet ingestion in children--United States, 2003-2006. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2006. 55:1296–1300.

8. Kircher MF, Milla S, Callahan MJ. Ingestion of magnetic foreign bodies causing multiple bowel perforations. Pediatr Radiol. 2007. 37:933–936.

9. Dutta S, Barzin A. Multiple magnet ingestion as a source of severe gastrointestinal complications requiring surgical intervention. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2008. 162:123–125.

10. Butterworth J, Feltis B. Toy magnet ingestion in children: revising the algorithm. J Pediatr Surg. 2007. 42:e3–e5.