Handheld metal detector confirmation of radiopaque foreign bodies in the esophagus

Objective: To examine the utility of handheld metal detectors in confirming the position of radiopaque foreign bodies in the esophagus before delayed endoscopic removal. Design: Prospective study of patients evaluated between June 1, 1997, and A ugust 31, 1999. Setting: Tertiary pediatric referral center. Patients: Twenty-six of 139 children presenting consecutively for evaluatio n of esophageal foreign bodies met eligibility criteria and completed the s tudy protocol. inclusion in the study was contingent on a delay of at least 6 hours from the time of diagnosis to the time of endoscopic removal. All patients underwent both radiographic evaluation and handheld metal detector scanning of the chest and abdomen on presentation and immediately before e ndoscopic removal. Results: All patients evaluated during the study period had coins lodged wi thin the esophagus. Handheld metal detector scanning accurately confirmed t his position before endoscopic removal in all cases. Conclusion: Our data suggest that handheld metal detectors may obviate the need for repeated radiographs in patients whose foreign bodies cannot be re moved at presentation.