Button Battery Ingestion

Button battery ingestion is an increasingly common cause of pediatric emergency department visits. Diagnosis is primarily made through radiographic evaluation, with anterior-posterior and lateral views distinguishing button batteries from other radiopaque foreign bodies. While most patients recover without complications, the caustic nature of modern lithium batteries necessitates careful evaluation and close follow-up to prevent potentially fatal outcomes. High-risk cases include children under 6 years of age, ingestion of batteries 20 mm or larger, and esophageal impaction, all of which require urgent intervention and monitoring.