Esophageal Foreign Bodies in Adults

Florian Lang, Philippe Pasche, Jean-Baptiste Ollyo, Philippe Monnier, Marcel Savary

Key Points

  • Esophageal foreign bodies in adults are mostly solid foods.
  • Esophageal foreign bodies in children are extremely varied.
  • In healthy patients, the most frequent site of impaction is the cervical esophagus.
  • Impaction at a more distal site should raise suspicion of intrinsic esophageal disease.
  • Diagnosis requires a careful history, physical examination, radiography, and esophagoscopy.
  • Esophagoscopy is the first line of therapy, but surgical removal may be required.
  • Foreign bodies, as well as food boluses, pills, and corrosive agents, are objects that can induce swallowing injuries to the esophagus.

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