Ingestion of Strong Magnets is a TIME CRITICAL EMERGENCY

(Multiple Magnets OR a single Magnet and Metallic Objects)

Strong magnets  (such as Neodymium)

• Now common place around the house
• From; fridge magnets to toys and peicings

Ingested:

• Intestinal injury can occur within 8-24 hours
• However, symptoms may take weeks to develop
• Symptomatic patients are a SURGICAL emergency

Detection:

• 2 views – to determine number of magnets (if in doubt assume multiple)

RCEM recommendation (best practice)

Swallowed Foreign Body – Metal Detector