Alkaline battery leakage

this crust is partly dried electrolyte and also has some carbonate reaction products from CO2 in air. It is not soluble in organic solvents. It is mechanically weak and can be removed by a rotating toothbrush with a little moisture. You must position the device so that none of this moisture and debrided crust can enter the unit by gravity or capillarity, so you need to work with the unit upside down. It would also help to dissassemble the unit completely as long as you can do so without forgetting where the parts went. Possibly a video as you disassemble would help.

You must look inside and see if any of this battery fluid has travelled elsewhere inside.

If it has, it must be removed and any broken wires repaired.

peruse these for more

http://www.google.ca/search?hl=en&q=%22alkaline+battery%22+%2B%22electrolyte+leakage%22&btnG=Google+Search&meta=

"Hi. I have some leaked alkaline batteries in a device that hadn't been used for over a year."

Standard precaution for use of almost all types of batteries: I device is NOT going to be used for an extended period of time, remove the batteries and store separately. Prevent a recurrence, potentially serious damage, and the consequential clean up.

The fluid is corrosive and only slightly toxic, not poisonous as in cyanide.

the damage it does is to accelerate corrosion of most metals it touches.

That said, do not eat it or rub into cuts as it will sting