Codfish may cause acute abdomen.
BACKGROUND
Foreign bodies ingestion is frequent and can cause several complications. Perforation is rare but can occur in any segment of the gastrointestinal tract. Fish bones are one of the most frequent objects responsible.


METHODS
A 77-year-old patient resorted to emergency room for severe abdominal pain with 5 days of evolution. A CT scan showed an undefined liquid collection involving a linear image with 25mm, suggestive of a foreign body. On laparotomy an abscess was resected with a fish bone inside.


CONCLUSIONS
Bowel perforation by foreign bodies can mimic other abdominal emergency conditions. Since fish bone ingestion is usually not remembered, diagnosis can be late. Surgery is the treatment of choice and is most commonly performed by laparotomy.


CONCLUSIONS
A low threshold of suspicion along with a good clinical history and radiological studies is extremely important in order to make a correct diagnosis.
ULS Castelo Branco, Cirurgia, Rua José Carlos Gomes Pita, n°2, 2° direito, 3040-193 Coimbra, Portugal. Electronic address: cecalmeida@yahoo.com.
Carlos E
CE
Costa Almeida
Rui
R
Rainho
António
A
Gouveia
Colon perforation; Fish bone; Foreign body