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Updated: Jun 17, 2026

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In vivo Liver Endocytosis Followed by Purification of Liver Cells by Liver Perfusion
Published on: November 10, 2011
Final destination of an ingested needle: the liver
Mesut Bulakçı1, Ayaz Agayev, Fatih Yanar
1Department of Radiology, İstanbul University İstanbul Faculty of Medicine, İstanbul, Turkey.
Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology (Ankara, Turkey)
|December 30, 2009
Summary
A rare case of a swallowed sewing needle perforated the duodenum and migrated to the liver. Laparoscopic surgery successfully removed the foreign body, highlighting a unique gastrointestinal complication.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Surgical Case Reports
Background:
- Foreign body ingestion is common, usually self-limiting.
- Gastrointestinal perforation and liver migration are rare complications.
Observation:
- A sewing needle was inadvertently ingested.
- The needle perforated the duodenum and migrated to the liver.
Findings:
- Initial radiographs showed no displacement.
- Computed tomography confirmed the needle embedded in the liver.
- Ultrasound identified extracapsular displacement.
Implications:
- This case highlights a rare but serious consequence of foreign body ingestion.
- Laparoscopic surgery is an effective treatment for liver-embedded foreign bodies.
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