Foreign Body in Duodenum Mimicking a Duplication Cyst on Imaging

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Surgery
• Gastroenterology
• Radiology

Background:

• Accidental foreign body (FB) ingestion is common in pediatric patients and often goes unnoticed.
• FB ingestion can present with vague symptoms, mimicking various gastrointestinal conditions.

Observation:

• A 9-month-old infant presented with a month of vomiting.
• Radiological imaging suggested a duplication cyst of the duodenum.

Findings:

• Surgical exploration revealed a retrieved crystal gel ball, not a duplication cyst.
• The ingested crystal gel ball was the cause of the infant's symptoms.

Implications:

• This case highlights the importance of considering foreign body ingestion in pediatric differential diagnoses.
• Vigilance is crucial for accurate diagnosis and management of pediatric surgical emergencies.
• Crystal gel balls pose a unique diagnostic challenge in pediatric foreign body ingestion.