A case report of foreign body appendicitis caused by tongue piercing ingestion

Foreign body ingestion is an uncommon clinical problem in healthy adults. Furthermore, it is even less common for an ingested foreign body to cause any obstructive symptoms within the gastrointestinal tract.

Here, we describe an unusual case of acute appendicitis induced by a tongue piercing that was ingested by a 32-year-old woman with a recent history of endotracheal intubation. Abdominal X-ray revealed metallic foreign bodies in the right lower quadrant. The foreign bodies remained in place on serial X-rays despite bowel preparation and they were not visualized on colonoscopy. Computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen and pelvis confirms the location of the foreign body within the appendix. Laparoscopic appendectomy was performed without complications and the tongue piercing was recovered within the lumen of the resected appendix.

Foreign body ingestion is a rare cause of appendicitis. Most ingested foreign bodies spontaneously pass through the gastrointestinal tract within a week. However, in rare instances, the foreign body becomes lodged in the appendix, often resulting in appendicitis.

In patients with appendicitis secondary to foreign body ingestion, we suggest surgical management to reduce the risk of peritonitis, perforation, and abscess formation.