2019 Volume 35 Issue 1 Pages 32-36
When multiple magnets are ingested, they can attract each other through the intestinal wall and cause complications such as an obstruction, perforation, or fistula. In general, determining the magnet’s adsorption on an X-ray image is not difficult. However, the present case displayed an atypical appearance due to the unusual manner of their attachment.
A one-year-old boy visited our emergency outpatient department about 10 hours after ingesting two magnets. The presence of the magnets was confirmed by abdominal X-ray, but a space of about 4 mm between the magnets indicated an apparent lack of attachment. After admission, his general state was stable with no abdominal symptoms. Repeated X-ray imaging showed the movement of the magnets. On the next morning the patient excreted the magnets. Examination of the magnets after their excretion showed that they had indeed been attached during their passage through the digestive system.
Fortunately, the magnets in this case were excreted without complication. Even if there is a gap between the magnets, it may be due to the radiolucent parts attached to the magnets. In such cases removal of magnets should be considered because the possibility of attachment through the intestinal wall cannot be denied.
