Vaginal Foreign Bodies: The Potential Role of Point-of-Care-Ultrasound in the Pediatric Emergency Department

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Imaging
• Emergency Medicine
• Gynecology

Background:

• Vaginal foreign bodies are common in pediatric patients.
• Diagnosis can be challenging, often requiring specialized examination.
• Transabdominal ultrasound is a non-invasive imaging modality.

Observation:

• An 11-year-old girl presented with a suspected retained vaginal foreign body after self-insertion of a pen.
• Initial attempts at removal were unsuccessful, raising concerns about a retained component.
• Transabdominal point-of-care ultrasound was utilized for evaluation.

Findings:

• Point-of-care ultrasound clearly visualized a retained pen cap within the vagina.
• The ultrasound findings facilitated prompt diagnosis and surgical planning.
• Pediatric surgery successfully removed the foreign body.

Implications:

• Transabdominal point-of-care ultrasound is a valuable tool for diagnosing vaginal foreign bodies in children.
• It offers a rapid, non-invasive alternative to traditional diagnostic methods.
• This technique can improve patient care and reduce diagnostic delays in pediatric emergencies.