Top Tip 9 - Emergency - Oesophageal Foreign Bodies

All suspected oesophageal foreign body cases we see receive a radiograph as the front line diagnostic after physical exam. However, not all oesophageal foreign bodies show up on radiograph.

Before reaching for the endoscope to determine the presence of a foreign body, you can safely use organic iodine preparations (such as urografin) orally as a contrast agent in further radiography. If the owner is waiting anxiously in the clinic, the relatively small amount of needed to take a contrast enhanced radiograph will provide them with more timely answers as to the potential severity of the situation.

The use of these agents means that you don’t need to immediately induce anaesthesia and pull out the endoscopy stack.

We commonly use a diluted contrast:water (or saline) solution at 10ml/kg. The dilution we use is 1:2 - 1:3 contrast:water. If you are short on contrast agent, you can get away with more dilute solutions with digital radiography (as you can so easily manipulate the image contrast).

SARC has full on-site emergency referral surgery and a comprehensive endoscopy capability. If you have an emergency oesophageal foreign body presentation requiring referral surgery or endoscopic examination not possible in your clinic, please do not hesitate to call us on (03) 9532 5261. We are fully staffed with vets and nurses 24/7.

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