Dr. Ashley Ramirez's Case Report Published in the Journal of Pediatric Surgery Case Reports

Jul 1, 2025

The SUNY Downstate Department of Surgery congratulates PGY-3 resident Dr. Ashley Ramirez, Dr. Yi-Horng Lee, Dr. Vasantha Kondamundi, and Dr. Francisca Velcek on their recent publication in the Journal of Pediatric Surgery Case Reports, titled: 

“Unusual presentation of multiple ingested magnets in a 12-year-old boy: A case report.” 

The report describes a 12-year-old boy who presented with mild, non-specific abdominal pain and no initial signs of peritonitis or systemic illness. Despite no disclosed history of foreign body ingestion, imaging revealed a string of metallic objects in the abdomen. Although initial imaging showed no signs of free air or bowel inflammation, the patient’s worsening symptoms and lack of progression of the bodies on serial abdominal X-rays prompted surgical exploration. Intraoperatively, the team discovered a jejunal perforation caused by magnetic beads, with associated serosal inflammation in an adjacent bowel loop. The affected bowel segment was resected and primarily anastomosed. The patient recovered uneventfully and remained well at three-month follow-up. 

The authors emphasize the importance of maintaining a low threshold for surgical intervention in cases of multiple magnet ingestion, even in the absence of alarming imaging findings. As high-powered magnetic toys become increasingly accessible, clinicians must remain vigilant for subtle signs of serious injury. Read the full article here.