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Foreign body impaction in the sigmoid colon: a twenty euro bet

Katalin E Müller1, András Arató, Péter László Lakatos

  • 11st Department of Pediatrics, Semmelweis University, 1083 Budapest, Hungary.

World Journal of Gastroenterology
|July 11, 2013
PubMed

Insights

A 13-year-old boy experienced chronic gastrointestinal issues due to an ingested ballpoint pen. This case highlights the importance of considering foreign body ingestion in diagnosing such symptoms, even in adolescents.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Diagnostic Imaging
  • Surgical Case Reports

Background:

  • Foreign body ingestion is a frequent cause of emergency room visits in young children.
  • While less common, adults can also ingest foreign bodies, sometimes unknowingly.
  • Most ingested foreign bodies pass through the gastrointestinal tract without complications.

Observation:

  • A 13-year-old male presented with a 6-month history of abdominal pain, weight loss, and occult gastrointestinal bleeding.
  • Initial colonoscopy revealed no abnormalities.
  • A ballpoint pen was discovered impacted in the sigmoid colon.

Findings:

  • The patient subsequently admitted to swallowing the pen 6 months prior as part of a bet.
  • The foreign body caused chronic gastrointestinal symptoms mimicking inflammatory bowel disease.
  • Crohn's disease, a chronic inflammatory condition, shares similar diagnostic challenges.

Implications:

  • This case underscores the necessity of including foreign body ingestion in the differential diagnosis for chronic gastrointestinal symptoms in adolescents.
  • Delayed diagnosis of foreign body ingestion can lead to significant morbidity.
  • Awareness among clinicians is crucial for prompt identification and management of such cases.

Keywords:
ChildCrohn’s diseaseDifferential diagnosisForeign bodiesPen

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