The Use of a Soft Gel Capsule as a Medium for Modified Barium Esophagogram in Detecting Esophageal Foreign Body
Objective: To test a soft gel capsule with barium sulfate as a medium for modified barium esophagogram in detecting esophageal foreign body. Methods: Study Design: Preliminary Diagnostic Test Assessment; Consecutive Convenience Sample Setting: Tertiary Government Hospital Participants, Patients or Population: Soft gel capsule with barium sulfate was pilot tested on patients with a history and diagnosis of radiolucent foreign body ingestion between June 1 and November 30, 2014. Results: Seven patients (6 males, 1 female; aged 26 – 61 years) underwent the procedure. In all seven, the enhanced capsule immediately stopped above the level of the esophageal foreign body, easily identifying the exact location of the obstruction. Foreign bodies included 1 embryonated duck-egg white “balut”, 5 chunks of pork meat and 1 claspless denture. All were successfully marked by the capsule on fluoroscopy and documented on X-ray. Esophagoscopy under general anesthesia was successfully performed after fluoroscopy in all patients. Conclusion: We were able to improvise a new medium for use in modified barium esophagograms that was easy to prepare and that rendered good radiographic imaging and localization of radiolucent foreign bodies. A randomized trial in comparison to the prevailing test may confirm our findings further. Meanwhile, we recommend exploring the procedure in other hospitals as an alternative to barium-soaked cotton in the diagnosis of radiolucent esophageal foreign bodies Keywords: soft gel capsule, barium suphate, esophagogram, esophageal foreign body