PEDIATRICS Vol. 48 No. 5 November 1971, pp. 832-833
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Cardiac Tamponade Resulting from a Swallowed Safety Pin

M. G. Norman M.D.1 and Elie Cass B.A., M.D.1

1 Department of Pathology, Hospital for Sick Children, 555 University Avenue, Toronto 101, Ontario, Canada

Cardiac tamponade occurring after swallowing a safety pin is a rare complication of foreign body in the esophagus. This case is reported to warn pediatricians of this danger.

A 1-year-old child was found apparently lifeless in her crib at home. She was rushed to hospital where she was pronounced dead on arrival in the Emergency Department. The coroner ordered an autopsy.

Significant findings were confined to the esophagus, heart, and pericardium. A 1'' long safety pin was found 2 cm proximal to the esophageo-gastric junction. The pin was open, with the sharp point and keeper pointing cephalad. The point had punctured the esophagus and adjacent pericardium.