title: Intrapelvic migration with long-term retention of a rectal thermometer: a case report.
abstract: Rectal perforation is a serious complication of manipulation of the anus and rectum, with catheters and thermometers. Such procedures should be performed with caution. We report a case of a 19-year-old male with retention of an intrapelvic foreign body, a mercury thermometer, which after perforating the rectum migrated into the pelvis and remained there without any symptoms for the next 7 years. A mercury thermometer, broken into 2 fragments, retained in the pelvis was noted accidentally by pelvic roentgenogram examination. An extrinsic thermometer tip over the upper rectal region was palpable by digital rectal examination. On physical examination, no infections or signs of peritonitis were observed. There were no significant abnormal findings by flexible colonoscopy. Computed tomography revealed a foreign body retained in the pelvis. Blood mercury level and a 24-hour urinary measurement of mercury were within normal limits. The patient refused any further treatment since he did not have any discomfort. The patient was in good condition and had not had surgery in the preceding 7 years.
authors.affiliation: Division of Colon and Rectum Surgery, Department of Surgery, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC.
authors.forename: Wen-Kuan
authors.initials: WK
authors.lastname: Chiu
authors.forename: Cheng-Wen
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Hsiao
authors.forename: Jung-Cheng
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.forename: Jan-Jen
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Feng
authors.forename: Pei-Chieh
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Chao
authors.forename: Shu-Wen
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Jao
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003113:Colonoscopy; D005548:Foreign-Body Migration / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D007416:Intestinal Perforation / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D010388:Pelvis; D012007:Rectum / Q000293:injuries; D013821:Thermometers / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013997:Time Factors