'Pill cam' related small bowel perforation

Case contributed by Andrew Dixon
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Patient with known Crohn's disease presents with acute abdominal pain 3 days following ingestion of a 'Pill Cam' (video capsule endoscopy).

Patient Data

Age: 45
Gender: Female

A dense metallic radio-opaque foreign body is seen in the right hemipelvis. 

Metal containing 'Pill Cam' is seen within the small bowel at the proximal margin of a segment of terminal ileal Crohn's disease. There are locules of gas seen outside the bowel adjacent to the Pill Cam consistent with perforation. There is also a pocket of free gas seen laterally in the right iliac fossa and a small volume of free fluid. Proximal to the Pill Cam there is feculent appearing material within the small bowel which is mildly dilated with multiple air-fluid levels consistent with at least partial small bowel obstruction. 

Case Discussion

Rare case of small bowel perforation related to a pill cam becoming obstructed at the proximal margin of a segment of terminal ileitis. 

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