Key Points

• Esophageal foreign bodies in adults are mostly solid foods.
• Esophageal foreign bodies in children are extremely varied.
• In healthy patients, the most frequent site of impaction is the cervical esophagus.
• Impaction at a more distal site should raise suspicion of intrinsic esophageal disease.
• Diagnosis requires a careful history, physical examination, radiography, and esophagoscopy.
• Esophagoscopy is the first line of therapy, but surgical removal may be required.
• Foreign bodies, as well as food boluses, pills, and corrosive agents, are objects that can induce swallowing injuries to the esophagus.