Bowel obstruction - ingested foreign body

Case contributed by Leonardo Lustosa
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

History of coin ingestion.

Patient Data

Age: 1 year
Gender: Male

Metallic density object in keeping with a coin projecting over the epigastric region. Multiple air-fluid levels are noted, which suggests a bowel obstruction has occurred.

Case Discussion

The history of coin ingestion was corroborated by the radiographs.

Ingested foreign body management usually depends on its location. Foreign bodies within the gastric or small bowel region are usually managed with clinical observation.

Coins can oftentimes be managed non-operatively. However, in the present case, there were signs of bowel obstruction, and the case was referred to the pediatric surgeon for evaluation.

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