RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Management of oesophageal coins in children
JF Emergency Medicine Journal
JO Emerg Med J
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and the British Association for Accident & Emergency Medicine
SP 157
OP 158
DO 10.1136/emermed-2011-200958
VO 30
IS 2
A1 O Nafousi
A1 Richard Pertwee
A1 Damian Roland
A1 Jonathan Acheson
YR 2013
UL http://emj.bmj.com/content/30/2/157.abstract
AB Objective Is a watch and wait approach safe in asymptomatic patients presenting to the emergency department with a confirmed oesophageal coin on x-ray? Methods A retrospective case note review for children <16 years attending with a confirmed oesophageal coin on x-ray over a 7-year period (1 January 2004 to 31 December 2010). Results 89% (33/37) of coins in asymptomatic patients, who were conservatively managed, had passed spontaneously on repeat chest x-ray up to 18 h later. No patient who was discharged with a middle or lower oesophageal coin required a GA and no child who was treated conservatively developed any complications. Conclusion In the UK asymptomatic children, with no history of tracheal or oesophageal disease and a confirmed oesophageal coin on x-ray should undergo a period of observation up to 18 h. This can be safely undertaken at home, followed by a repeat x-ray in the emergency department.