Related Experiment Videos
Successful Management of Hepatic Abscess From Ingested Foreign Body: A Case Report
Samin Rostamzadeh1, Fatemeh Shahrahmani2, Davood Salehi1
1Department of General Surgery, School of Medicine, Urmia University of Medical Science, Urmia, Iran, umsu.ac.ir.
Case Reports in Surgery
|June 26, 2026
Summary
A rare hepatic abscess caused by an ingested toothpick was successfully treated in an immunocompromised patient. This case highlights the diagnostic challenges and the need for vigilance in patients with unexplained abdominal symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Hepatology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Hepatic abscesses from ingested foreign bodies are rare but serious complications.
- Sharp objects can perforate the GI tract, leading to migration and abscess formation.
- Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients are immunocompromised, increasing infection risk.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a case of hepatic abscess secondary to foreign body ingestion in an immunocompromised patient.
- To discuss the diagnostic challenges and management of such rare cases.
- To emphasize the importance of considering foreign body ingestion in unexplained abdominal symptoms.
Main Methods:
- Case report of a 22-year-old female with SLE.
- Initial evaluation included laboratory tests and abdominal ultrasonography.
- Diagnosis confirmed by endoscopy, contrast-enhanced CT scan, and laparotomy.
Main Results:
- A toothpick was found penetrating the stomach wall and lodged in the liver, causing a 7 cm x 5.6 cm abscess.
- The patient underwent abscess drainage and gastrorrhaphy.
- Successful recovery with antibiotic therapy and no recurrence during follow-up.
Conclusions:
- Foreign body-induced hepatic abscesses are uncommon and diagnostically challenging.
- Endoscopy is the primary diagnostic and therapeutic tool, but surgery may be necessary.
- High clinical suspicion is crucial for prompt diagnosis and management, especially in immunocompromised individuals.
Related Concept Videos
01:26Brain Abscess l: Introduction
A brain abscess is a focal, intracerebral infection characterized by a localized collection of pus within the brain parenchyma, resulting from microbial invasion and the body’s inflammatory response. It progresses through stages: early and late cerebritis, followed by early and late capsule formation, reflecting tissue destruction, immune response, and eventual encapsulation.Etiology and PathogenesisCausative organisms vary with source and host factors, often involving polymicrobial infections,...
01:28Esophageal Perforation-II: Clinical Manifestations and Management
Esophageal perforations manifest in various clinical forms, influenced by factors such as the perforation's cause and location (cervical, intrathoracic, or intra-abdominal), the extent of contamination, and potential injury to adjacent mediastinal structures. The timing between the perforation occurrence and treatment initiation also affects the clinical presentation.
Clinical Manifestations:
Clinical Manifestations: