Impacted button-battery masquerading as croup.

BACKGROUND: Foreign body ingestion is a frequent complaint in the Pediatric Emergency Department.

OBJECTIVE: Button-battery ingestion is discussed, with particular attention being given to its management.

CASE REPORT: Here is an interesting case of a button-battery ingestion by a 1-year-old boy with known asthma who presented to our Emergency Department. He presented in acute respiratory distress with signs of upper airway obstruction. Failing conventional therapy, a chest radiograph was obtained, which led to the diagnosis and subsequent removal.

CONCLUSION: The management of a button-battery ingestion depends on the patient's age, the presence or absence of symptoms, the size of the object, and location of the object within the gastrointestinal tract. In years past, every esophageal button battery required emergent endoscopic removal. But revised guidelines from the National Battery Ingestion Hotline at the National Capital Poison Center have adjusted this management, which is discussed.