Small bowel perforation secondary to swallowed denture impaction at an NSAID-induced ileal diaphragm

Diaphragm disease of the small bowel is a rare but well-documented complication of prolonged nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) use. Characterized by circumferential mucosal diaphragms, the disease often presents as small bowel obstruction but can also lead to perforation. We report a case of small bowel perforation caused by a swallowed partial denture that became lodged at an ileal diaphragm in a patient with a history of long-term NSAID use. The diagnosis was confirmed histologically following a right hemicolectomy with primary stapled anastomosis. This case highlights the importance of considering diaphragm disease in patients on chronic NSAID therapy who present with signs of bowel obstruction or perforation, even when alternative diagnoses, such as Crohn's disease, are initially suspected.