Down the Rabbit Hole-Considerations for Ingested Foreign Bodies

Jerry Brown1, Molly Kidder2, Abigail Fabbrini1

  • 1University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA.

Insights

A seven-year-old boy had a metallic foreign body lodged in his appendix for ten months, discovered incidentally via X-ray. Appendectomy was performed to prevent future appendicitis, highlighting challenges in diagnosing foreign body ingestion in children.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Surgery
  • Gastroenterology
  • Radiology

Background:

  • Foreign body ingestion is common in children, but appendiceal retention is rare.
  • Diagnosis can be challenging, especially in non-verbal or developmentally delayed patients.

Observation:

  • A seven-year-old boy presented with constipation, and an abdominal X-ray incidentally revealed a foreign body in the right lower quadrant.
  • Despite multiple bowel cleanouts, the foreign body persisted in the appendix over ten months.
  • The patient remained asymptomatic for acute appendicitis.

Findings:

  • Laparoscopic appendectomy was performed due to the risk of future appendicitis.
  • A small metallic object was successfully removed from the appendix.

Implications:

  • This case underscores the importance of thorough investigation for retained foreign bodies, even without acute symptoms.
  • It highlights diagnostic challenges in pediatric foreign body ingestion and the need for vigilance.
  • Early detection and intervention can prevent serious complications like appendicitis.

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