Hematemesis in a young patient: When the cause is ingested: A case report

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Radiology
• Emergency Medicine

Background:

• Foreign body ingestion is common, often asymptomatic, but can lead to serious gastrointestinal complications.
• Delayed diagnosis is frequent due to nonspecific symptoms and lack of patient recall.
• Sharp or linear foreign bodies pose a higher risk of lodging and causing injury.

Observation:

• A 20-year-old male presented with acute hematemesis.
• Initial upper gastrointestinal endoscopy showed bleeding but no foreign object.
• Abdominal CT scan revealed a calcified linear object in the gastric antrum.

Findings:

• Endoscopic extraction confirmed the object as a chicken bone.
• The chicken bone was lodged in the gastric antrum.
• The patient experienced significant gastrointestinal bleeding.

Implications:

• CT imaging is vital for diagnosing radiopaque foreign bodies missed by endoscopy.
• Prompt identification and removal of ingested foreign bodies prevent severe complications like obstruction or perforation.
• This case highlights the importance of considering foreign body ingestion in patients with unexplained GI bleeding.