Esophageal Foreign Bodies: Safety and Efficacy of Foley Catheter Extraction of Coins

Continued controversy over the role of fluoroscopically guided Foley catheter removal of esophageal foreign bodies has limited the use of this technique despite its significant economic advantages. We reviewed our experience for the safety, efficacy, and applicability of this technique with pediatric patients who had swallowed coins.We retrospectively reviewed 10 years of experience with pediatric patients who had undergone fluoroscopically guided Foley catheter removal of coins. All the pediatric patients with a suspected esophageal foreign body were first evaluated by plain film radiography. Foley catheter extraction was attempted when a radiopaque coin was seen and the patient lacked signs of significant esophageal edema resulting in tracheal compromise. During the 10 years covered by our review, 14 pediatric radiologists with specific training in the Foley catheter technique were involved in such removals. A separate review (of consecutive pediatric patients who had a history of or symptoms suggesting...