'Cylindrical Objects' Found Inside Woman's Esophagus Moments Before Her Death

Doctors in Ohio were shocked to find "cylindrical objects" lodged inside the esophagus of a woman who had arrived at the emergency room following a choking incident.

According to her case in The Journal of Emergency Medicine, the nonverbal woman had a history of mental retardation and dysphagia, which is an issue with swallowing.

Researchers said in the case study they conducted an X-ray of the chest that showed mild opacity at the left lung base. The doctors treated her with antibiotics and discharged her. But, the woman – who has not been identified – returned the next day complaining of worsened symptoms that suggested she may have aspiration pneumonia.

According to the Healthline, aspiration pneumonia is a lung infection that is caused if a large amount of material enters the lungs either from the stomach or mouth.

Doctors performed a CT scan and found she had 28 crayons in her esophagus, and conducted three endoscopies to remove the objects. Researchers said the woman not only developed aspiration pneumonia, but also respiratory distress and septic shock.

The woman died following the complications. It remains unclear when the incident took place.

Researchers wrote in the case study doctors must be aware of such situations and check the esophagus in nonverbal patients. They believe if there is a delay in finding a foreign body inside a patient, it could lead to risk of esophageal perforation, aspiration, airway compromise, infection, sepsis and also death.

In the abstract of the case study, researchers said there are more than 100,000 cases of esophageal foreign body in the U.S. each year. While most cases are resolved, complete esophageal obstruction is something that needs immediate attention and that it's a high risk for those with developmental disabilities.

Last year, a newborn baby in Zambia died after choking on breast milk. The child's mother allegedly fell asleep while feeding the baby. The 5-day-old Taurai Mugala was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics. The boy’s mother told the police when she woke up two hours later, she found the baby unresponsive with milk oozing through his nostril.