Work

An Accidental Discovery of Twenty 312-Size Zinc and Mercury-Containing Disk Batteries in a Sexagenarian Male

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Foreign body ingestion, while commonly observed in children, also occurs in elderly individuals. Button batteries pose a significant risk that can lead to rapid tissue damage. Herein, we present a case of a 61-year-old Hispanic male with a past medical history of coronary atherosclerosis, hypertension, asthma, and hyperlipidemia, who initially presented with shortness of breath and bilateral lower limb swelling. However, a passive complaint of constipation prompted further imaging, which unexpectedly revealed multiple foreign bodies in the gastrointestinal tract. A colonoscopy was performed, retrieving 14 button batteries, with additional batteries eliminated through a bowel regimen. This case highlights the need for a high index of suspicion for foreign body ingestion in elderly patients, even in the absence of classic symptoms. It illustrates the importance of thorough history-taking and early imaging in patients with unexplained gastrointestinal symptoms, particularly when initial diagnoses do not fully explain the clinical picture. Given the growing aging population and increased risk of accidental ingestion, further research is needed to establish optimal management strategies and prevent severe complications in similar cases.

Source: Cureus

DOI: 10.7759/cureus.83075

Authors: Ambika Kapil, Sophie Schuelke, Sohair Angly, Maray Rocher, Sahar S Abdelmoneim

Institutions: Nova Southeastern University, Larkin Community Hospital, Palm Springs General Hospital, Assiut University Hospitals, Assiut University

Language: English

Topic: Foreign Body Medical Cases

Subfield: Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Imaging

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: diamond

OpenAlex ID: W4409859720