Safety-pin Induced Hemopericardium and Cardiac Tamponade in an Infant.

BACKGROUND: Safety-pin ingestion causing cardiovascular complications are very rare with high risk for mortality.

CASE CHARACTERISTICS: A 10-month-old child who presented with persistent irritability and intermittent fever of 1 month duration. The child had tachypnea and mild subcostal retractions.

OBSERVATION: Investigations revealed open safety-pin in lower esophagus, and pericardial effusion that later progressed to cardiac tamponade during handling of the safety pin by endoscope.

MESSAGE: It may be safer to drain pericardial collection before handling sharp foreign bodies in lower end of esophagus as it can worsen cardiac complications.