title: Colonic Perforation in a Young Tetraplegic Male Caused by Zucchini.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Colonic perforation is a clinical condition which occurs due to variety of reasons, such as intrinsic disorders of the intestine, extrinsic causes, but also due to presence of foreign bodies. Foreign objects enter gastrointestinal tract by oral or transanal introduction.
  
  
  METHODS
  we present an uncommon case of a 26- year-old tetraplegic male, whose death was a consequence of a widespread purulent peritonitis provoked by colonic perforation inflicted by an unusual foreign body, transanally introduced 28 centimeters long zucchini (Cucurbita pepo L.).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  we share our experience in order to emphasize the importance of consideration and early recognition of foreign body presence in the alimentary tract as possible diagnosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Citology and Forensic Medicine, General Hospital Varazdin, Varazdin, Croatia.
authors.forename: Biserka
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Pigac
authors.affiliation: Educational Institute of Emergency Medicine of City of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia.
authors.forename: Silvija
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Masic
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003108:Colonic Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D007416:Intestinal Perforation / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D011782:Quadriplegia
keywords: Zucchini; colonic perforation; transanal