Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2019
Keywords
Appendix, Foreign bodies, Pediatrics, Gastroenterology, Endoscopy, Appendicitis, Appendectomy, Autism spectrum disorder
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
https://doi.org/10.5223/pghn.2019.22.6.619
Abstract
We report the case of a seven-year-old boy with an ingested foreign body, which was retained within the appendix for a known duration of ten months, ultimately requiring appendectomy. The ingested foreign body was incidentally discovered by abdominal x-ray at an emergency room visit for constipation. Despite four bowel cleanouts, subsequent x-rays showed persistence of the foreign body in the right lower quadrant. While the patient did not have signs or symptoms of acute appendicitis, laparoscopic appendectomy was performed due to the risk of this foreign body causing appendicitis in the future. A small metallic object was found within the appendix upon removal. This case highlights the unique challenge presented by foreign body ingestions in non-verbal or developmentally challenged children and the importance of further diagnostic workup when concerns arise for potential retained foreign bodies.
Rights Information
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 4.0 License
Was this content written or created while at USF?
Yes
Citation / Publisher Attribution
Pediatric Gastroenterology Hepatology & Nutrition, v. 22, issue 6, p. 619-623
Scholar Commons Citation
Brown, Jerry; Kidder, Molly; Fabbrini, Abigail; deVries, Jonathan; Robertson, Jason; Chandler, Nicole; and Wilsey, Michael, "Down the Rabbit Hole-Considerations for Ingested Foreign Bodies" (2019). Pediatrics Faculty Publications. 45.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/ped_facpub/45
