Some bear children not only like to be mischievous, but even use their nasal cavity as a treasure hole. Otolaryngologists often encounter children with nasal foreign bodies in their clinical work. There are also various types of foreign bodies in the nasal cavity, such as beans, peanuts, fruit pits, melon seeds, various toys, pills, foamed plastics, etc. As long as such foreign bodies are found in time and removed as soon as possible, there is generally no great harm. But if the “button battery” is put into the nasal cavity, it may cause severe burns in the nasal cavity. Recently, Sunshine Ronghe Hospital encountered a 3-year-old child who put a button battery into the nasal cavity and caused severe burns.
On the evening of April 25, 3-year-old Yi Fei (pseudonym) went to Sunshine Ronghe Hospital because his parents found that his right nasal cavity was not ventilated. , the child’s parents left the hospital feeling that there was no major problem. On April 26, he went to the otolaryngology outpatient clinic again. Deputy Chief Physician Yao Xikun received the consultation. He was highly suspicious of a foreign body in the nasal cavity, and again suggested a nasal endoscopy. Song Quanfa, the attending physician, performed a nasal foreign body removal operation under general anesthesia. During the operation, it was found that Yi Fei’s right nasal cavity was severely burned in a large area, and the local mucosa had become black and necrotic. Obvious burns appear.
Dr. Song Quanfa introduced that among these common nasal foreign bodies, button batteries are the most dangerous one. The button battery contains heavy metal toxic substances such as mercury, which continuously discharges and generates heat in the moist and conductive nasal cavity, which seriously burns the nasal mucosa and cartilage. The strong alkaline substances in the battery will also erode the nasal mucosa and cartilage. It will cause ulceration of the nasal septum mucosa, cartilage necrosis, and even full-thickness perforation; the direct current released by the battery can hydrolyze the electrolytes in the nasal cavity to produce toxic gases and alkaline substances, aggravating the damage to the nasal mucosa. The leakage of the battery will also cause heavy metal poisoning in the human body, which will affect the nervous system and intellectual development. In addition, nasal adhesions may occur during the healing process of nasal mucosa after burns, resulting in persistent nasal obstruction and other consequences. In addition, if the button battery in the nostril is not removed in time, it may fall into the trachea and cause suffocation. If swallowed accidentally, it will also corrode the digestive tract, and the consequences will be disastrous.
Dr. Song Quanfa reminded that once parents find that there may be a foreign body in their child’s nasal cavity, they should immediately soothe their child’s emotions and prevent the child from inhaling violently due to crying and runny nose. Determine the possible types of foreign bodies. If there is a foreign body sample, it is best to take it to the hospital with you to provide clues and help for the doctor’s treatment. In addition, it is not recommended for parents to blindly use tweezers to pick up foreign objects, especially round foreign objects such as beads, so as not to push them deeper and deeper. Some foreign bodies have reached the deep part of the nasal cavity and are not easy to see, or the children cannot cooperate with the treatment due to fear and struggle, and need to be taken out under general anesthesia in the hospital.
How to prevent a child from getting a foreign body in the nose?
1. Parents should educate their children not to stuff toys into the nasal cavity;
2. Try to put small items that can be stuffed into the nasal cavity, such as button batteries, soybeans, Place beads, etc. in a place that is not easy for children to reach;
3. Teach children that if they accidentally put a foreign body into the nasal cavity, they must remember to tell adults to avoid missing the best time for treatment.