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Nail Biting as a Cause of Appendicitis.
Michael Pagacz1, Philip Bao2, Juan Carlos Alvarez Moreno1
1A.M. Rywlin, MD Department of Pathology, Mount Sinai Medical Center, Miami Beach, FL, USA.
A rare case of acute appendicitis was caused by a human nail contaminated with Actinomyces lodged in the appendix. This unusual foreign body required surgical removal via appendectomy, highlighting rare causes of abdominal pain.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Surgical Pathology
Background:
- Foreign body ingestion is common, usually asymptomatic.
- Complications include obstruction, requiring surgical intervention.
- Appendicitis is a frequent cause of abdominal pain.
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