[Perforation of the intestine after ingestion of magnetic items].

The ingestion of magnetic items is a potentially dangerous condition which may result in local necrosis and perforation of the intestine due to incrustation of the bowel wall between two magnetic bodies. We report a case of a 12-year old girl who ingested several magnetic items, causing perforation of the small intestine. We recommend surgical removal if more than one magnetic foreign body is ingested. If imaging results indicate that only one magnet has been ingested, we recommend a control x-ray within a few hours to confirm a secure passage of the foreign body.