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[Intestinal perforation caused by a toothpick]
D Cossavella1, G Clerico, O Paino
1Divisione di Chirurgia Generale, Ospedale di Ivrea, Torino, Regione Piemonte, Azienda USL 9.
Minerva Chirurgica
|June 9, 1998
Summary
Accidentally swallowing toothpicks can cause severe intestinal injuries, including perforation. Prompt diagnosis through careful patient history is crucial to prevent fatal complications from these foreign body ingestions.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Surgical Pathology
Background:
- Toothpick ingestion is a rare but serious cause of intestinal injury.
- Literature documents severe complications including cardiovascular damage, lung injury, and fatal sepsis.
Observation:
- Two cases of intestinal perforation due to accidental toothpick swallowing are presented.
- One patient, aged 59, presented with symptoms of acute abdomen; the other, aged 27, exhibited signs of acute appendicitis.
Findings:
- Intestinal perforation by a toothpick can mimic common abdominal pathologies.
- Delayed diagnosis of foreign body ingestion can lead to severe outcomes.
Implications:
- Highlights the critical role of thorough patient history (anamnesis) in diagnosing toothpick-induced intestinal injuries.
- Emphasizes the need for clinical vigilance in identifying foreign body ingestion, even when symptoms are atypical.