Gastric penetration by an ingested toothpick successfully managed with computed tomography and endoscopy.
A 31-year-old woman who had ingested a toothpick consulted our hospital because of epigastralgia. An abdominal computed tomography (CT) demonstrated a toothpick penetrating the gastric wall. Endoscopic examination demonstrated an ingested toothpick protruding from the prepyloric antrum. The whole toothpick was removed using a basket catheter without complications. CT images were useful to acquire clinical information such as location of the toothpick end. Unintentional ingestion of toothpicks must be considered potentially dangerous. The locations of both ends of the toothpick should be confirmed by CT or ultrasonography; and then, the toothpick should be removed as soon as possible.
Matsubara
Minoru
M
Second Department of Internal Medicine, Sumitomo Besshi Hospital, Niihama.
Hirasaki
Shoji
S
Suzuki
Seiyuu
S
D000006:Abdomen, Acute / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy*; D005773:Gastroscopy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013270:Stomach; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome