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Toothpick Colon Injury Mimicking Colonic Diverticulitis
1Department of Surgery, Dankook University College of Medicine, Cheonan, Korea.
Annals of Coloproctology
|July 12, 2018
Summary
Toothpick ingestion, though rare, can cause severe gastrointestinal issues. This study highlights two cases where toothpick-induced colon injury mimicked diverticulitis, emphasizing diagnostic challenges and successful interventions.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Surgical Pathology
Background:
- Toothpick ingestion is an uncommon but potentially fatal cause of gastrointestinal complications.
- Diagnosis is challenging due to patients often not recalling ingestion.
- Gastrointestinal injuries can mimic other conditions like diverticulitis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report two cases of colon injury caused by toothpick ingestion.
- To illustrate the diagnostic difficulties and successful management of such cases.
Main Methods:
- Case report of two adult males presenting with symptoms suggestive of diverticulitis.
- Diagnostic imaging including ultrasonography and laparoscopic examination.
- Surgical intervention involving toothpick removal and colon resection.
Main Results:
- First patient: Toothpick found embedded in abdominal wall, successfully removed.
- Second patient: Toothpick perforated the sigmoid colon, requiring anterior resection.
- Both patients recovered without postoperative complications.
Conclusions:
- Toothpick ingestion can lead to significant colon injury, presenting as diverticulitis.
- Early diagnosis and prompt surgical intervention are crucial for favorable outcomes.
- Awareness of toothpick ingestion as a differential diagnosis is important in relevant clinical scenarios.
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