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Updated: May 25, 2026

Murine Ileocolic Bowel Resection with Primary Anastomosis
Published on: October 29, 2014
A fish bone causing ileal perforation in the terminal ileum
Ayhan Mutlu1, Ender Uysal, Levent Ulusoy
1Department of Radiology, Şişli Florence Nightingale Hospital, İstanbul, Turkey. drmutlu@yahoo.com
Foreign body perforation of the gastrointestinal tract often presents with varied symptoms, making diagnosis difficult. This case highlights fish bone perforation of the terminal ileum, emphasizing the need for high clinical suspicion.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Radiology
- Surgical Pathology
Background:
- Foreign body perforation of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract presents diverse clinical challenges.
- Accurate preoperative diagnosis of GI perforation is frequently missed.
- Appendicitis and diverticulitis are common differential diagnoses for abdominal pain.
Observation:
- A 69-year-old woman presented with severe right iliac fossa pain.
- Initial presumptive diagnoses included acute appendicitis or diverticulitis.
- Multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) revealed a fish bone perforating the terminal ileum.
Findings:
- MDCT imaging successfully identified the fish bone as the cause of perforation.
- The location of the perforation was the terminal ileum.
- The clinical presentation mimicked more common intra-abdominal pathologies.
Implications:
- A high index of suspicion is crucial for diagnosing foreign body GI perforation.
- MDCT is a valuable tool for identifying intraluminal foreign bodies.
- Timely diagnosis of GI perforation is essential for appropriate management and patient outcomes.
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