Presentation
Neck pain for MRI of the cervical spine.
Patient Data
Survey images showing large ferromagnetic artifact.
Frontal chest radiograph showed a rounded radio-dense foreign body slightly to the right of the midline.
Intense edema signal is seen involving D1, D2 and D3 vertebrae and the discs in between associated with prevertebral and paravertebral soft tissue inflammatory phlegmon encasing the trachea and esophagus.
Case Discussion
After the artifact was noted on the initial MRI, the child was taken out and thorough examination for any metallic structures on the body or in clothes was done, but nothing was found.
A frontal radiograph was then obtained and confirmed a metallic foreign body. The orientation of the foreign body, the location being off midline and the lack of any respiratory symptoms were enough to confirm an esophageal foreign body and lateral view was not obtained.
Endoscopic removal was done, and the foreign body was found to be a button battery. Limited non-contrast MRI was requested and showed inflammatory process centered upon the upper dorsal vertebrae and mediastinal structures in keeping with spondylodiscitis and mediastinitis.
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