Gravel gut: small bowel perforation due to a blunt ingested foreign body.
The ingestion of foreign bodies remains a common occurrence in children. Most ingested foreign bodies pass spontaneously, although up to 1% will result in intestinal perforation. Specific foreign bodies such as sharp, pointed, or corrosive objects have been typically associated with perforation. The initial diagnosis of foreign body ingestion may be difficult in the absence of a witness, and the presentation of perforation in this situation difficult to distinguish from other causes of an acute abdomen. We report a case of ileal perforation due to a blunt ingested foreign body in a child in whom the diagnosis was unclear until laparotomy. This case highlights the difficulties in managing pediatric ingested foreign bodies, including the risk of perforation even with a blunt object.
Cross
Kate Michelle
KM
Department of Academic Surgery, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, The University of Sydney, Westmead, Australia.
Holland
Andrew J A
AJ
D000006:Abdomen, Acute / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D001064:Appendicitis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004435:Eating; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D004638:Emergency Treatment; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007416:Intestinal Perforation / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D007421:Intestine, Small; D007813:Laparotomy / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D018570:Risk Assessment; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome