Retention of foreign body in the gut can be a sign of congenital obstructive anomaly: a case report

• Main Authors: Subudhi Pravas, Singh Shivaram, Meher Chudamani, Agrawal Omprakash
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2008-09-01
• Series: Journal of Medical Case Reports
• Online Access: http://www.jmedicalcasereports.com/content/2/1/293

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Small smooth objects that enter the gut nearly always pass uneventfully through the gastrointestinal tract. Retention of foreign objects may occur due to congenital obstructive anomaly of the gut.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>We report here a child who presented with features of small gut obstruction which were attributed to a foreign body impacted in the intestine. At surgery, an annular pancreas was detected and the foreign body was found to be lodged in the distended proximal duodenum.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The reported case highlights the fact that an impacted radio-opaque foreign body in a child should warn the pediatrician to the possibility of an obstructive congenital anomaly.</p>