# Case Report: Occult gastric corrosion of a brass pendant during endoscopic retrieval in a child

## TL;DR

A child swallowed a brass pendant that corroded internally despite appearing normal, leading to a fracture during endoscopic removal.

## Contribution

Highlights the risk of hidden corrosion in metallic foreign bodies and provides guidance for safer endoscopic retrieval.

## Key findings

- Brass pendants can undergo internal weakening from gastric acid even if the surface appears intact.
- Endoscopic retrieval should focus on the thickest, strongest part of the object to avoid fracture.
- Mechanical stress at esophageal narrowing sites can cause failure during removal of corroded objects.

## Abstract

Ingestion of a metallic foreign body is common among young children. Although most objects pass spontaneously, some require endoscopic removal. Brass and similar metals can undergo acid-induced dezincification, leading to internal weakening even if the surface appears unchanged. This report describes a rare case of brass pendant ingestion affected by such corrosion.

A 4-year-old boy ingested a brass pendant that remained in his stomach for 72 h, prompting endoscopic retrieval. Although there was no visible corrosion, the pendant fractured at a narrow segment when traction was applied at a physiological esophageal narrowing site. The remaining portion was safely removed after re-grasping the thickest, structurally strongest region.

Despite having a normal appearance, metallic foreign bodies may weaken internally after 48–72 h (2–3 days) of gastric exposure. Hence, endoscopists should anticipate hidden corrosion and grasp the thickest, most reinforced area during removal while considering mechanical stress at esophageal narrowing sites to ensure safe retrieval.