title: Foreign body in the appendix presenting as acute appendicitis: a case report.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Foreign bodies are a rare cause of appendicitis. In most instances, ingested foreign bodies pass through the alimentary tract asymptomatically. However, those that enter the lumen of the vermiform appendix may not be able to re-enter the colon and may initiate an inflammatory process. We report a case of acute appendicitis induced by an unusual foreign body.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 26-year-old Sub-Saharan woman presented with right iliac fossa pain and tenderness. She underwent an open appendectomy which revealed a condom fragment within the appendiceal lumen. A detailed retrospective history confirmed accidental ingestion of the condom 2 weeks prior to onset of symptoms.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although a rare finding, a variety of foreign bodies can be lodged in the appendix and may instigate an inflammatory process. There is a need to increase awareness of the potential dangers of ingested foreign bodies.
authors.affiliation: Islamic Medicalized Health Centre-Babessi and Department of Surgery, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon. sama.carlson@yahoo.com.|Galactic Corps Research Group (GCRG), Buea, Cameroon. sama.carlson@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Carlson B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Sama
authors.affiliation: Clinical Research Education, Networking & Consultancy, Douala, Cameroon and, The University of Queensland, School of Public Health, Brisbane, QLD, 4006, Australia.
authors.forename: Leopold N
authors.initials: LN
authors.lastname: Aminde
authors.affiliation: Bamenda Regional Hospital and Health and Human Development (2HD) Research Group, Douala, Cameroon.
authors.forename: Tsi N
authors.initials: TN
authors.lastname: Njim
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University Teaching Hospital Yaoundé and Gynaeco-Obstetric and Paediatric Hospital, Yaoundé, Cameroon.
authors.forename: Fru F
authors.initials: FF
authors.lastname: Angwafo
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D001062:Appendectomy; D001064:Appendicitis / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D001065:Appendix / Q000601:surgery*; D017280:Condoms; D005260:Female; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans
keywords: Appendicitis; Condom; Foreign body; Oral sex