# An Accidental Discovery of Twenty 312-Size Zinc and Mercury-Containing Disk Batteries in a Sexagenarian Male

## TL;DR

An elderly man accidentally ingested many small batteries, highlighting the need for careful diagnosis in similar cases.

## Contribution

This case report emphasizes the importance of considering foreign body ingestion in elderly patients with unexplained symptoms.

## Key findings

- A 61-year-old man had 14 button batteries removed via colonoscopy and additional batteries passed through bowel management.
- The case underscores the risk of delayed diagnosis in elderly patients with non-specific gastrointestinal symptoms.
- It suggests the need for improved clinical strategies to manage and prevent complications from accidental battery ingestion.

## Abstract

Foreign body ingestion, while commonly observed in children, also occurs in elderly individuals. Button batteries pose a significant risk that can lead to rapid tissue damage. Herein, we present a case of a 61-year-old Hispanic male with a past medical history of coronary atherosclerosis, hypertension, asthma, and hyperlipidemia, who initially presented with shortness of breath and bilateral lower limb swelling. However, a passive complaint of constipation prompted further imaging, which unexpectedly revealed multiple foreign bodies in the gastrointestinal tract. A colonoscopy was performed, retrieving 14 button batteries, with additional batteries eliminated through a bowel regimen. This case highlights the need for a high index of suspicion for foreign body ingestion in elderly patients, even in the absence of classic symptoms. It illustrates the importance of thorough history-taking and early imaging in patients with unexplained gastrointestinal symptoms, particularly when initial diagnoses do not fully explain the clinical picture. Given the growing aging population and increased risk of accidental ingestion, further research is needed to establish optimal management strategies and prevent severe complications in similar cases.