Protein energy malnutrition revealing an esophageal foreign body

It is not unusual for a foreign body to be swallowed and be lodged in the esophagus. It is however, very unusual for such a foreign body to remain lodged for a period of 8 months. This particular case, a 15-month-old male infant, is under focus because of the time length the foreign body remained in the esophagus without local complications, what is unusual is a protein energy malnutrition complication. The neck and chest X-ray permitted the foreign body identification. The management of esophageal foreign body requires a multidisciplinary approach among otorhinolaryngologist, radiologist and pediatrician.