Watch what you eat; there may be bristles in your burger

At times, one gets a feeling that physicians and specialists do not get proper subjects for detailed research. But we must not be extremely critical on such matters as mundane research which just collates and lists observations is very useful; it may contain life-saving messages

Research that examines the incidence of injuries caused by ingesting wire bristles from grill brushes, and prompts physicians and consumers to take notice before the summer grilling season, published in the April 2016 issue of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery is one such example.

What are the notable findings?

• Wire-bristle grill brushes, used for cleaning grill grates, may lose bristles when used. These bristles can adhere to the grill, become stuck to food, and then accidentally be ingested. A literature and national database review yielded case reports and documented injuries from ingestion, sometimes requiring surgery.
• The public and physicians may not be cognizant of the dangers and the medical implications of wire bristle injuries. Lack of awareness can result in a delayed diagnosis and intervention.
• Data show that the majority of these injuries tend to be located in the head and neck region, with incidents more commonly occurring in the summer months.
• Use of alternative cleaning methods may reduce this problem.

Researchers reviewed the literature and used the Consumer Product Safety Commission's National Electronic Injury Surveillance System and the consumer reported injury database SaferProducts.gov to estimate emergency department visits for wire bristle injuries. They  counted  1698 cases presented to emergency departments between 2002 and 2014  but caution that the estimate doesn't include cases presenting at urgent care facilities or other outpatient settings.

"The issue is likely under-reported and thus underappreciated," said the study's lead author, C.W. David Chang, MD. "Because of the uncommon nature of wire bristle injuries, people may not be as mindful of the dangers and implications. Awareness among emergency department physicians, radiologists, and otolaryngologists is particularly important so that appropriate tests and examinations can be conducted."

The most common location of injury was the oral cavity and the oropharynx which includes the throat and tonsils. In all databases, injuries involving the esophagus and head and neck were more frequent than abdominal injuries.

Take home messages:  

Consumers must exercise caution when cleaning grills with wire-bristle brushes; they must examine brushes prior to each use; they must not hesitate to discard them  if bristles are loose. They must inspect cooking grates prior to cooking, and check into alternative cleaning methods.