Noningested intraperitoneal foreign body causing chronic abdominal pain: a role for laparoscopy in the diagnosis

J Pediatr Surg. 2012 Feb;47(2):e15-7. doi: 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2011.10.052.

Abstract

In this article, we present an unusual case of a young boy who presented with abdominal pain and was found to have a sewing needle that had migrated through the abdominal wall into the peritoneal space. After imaging and endoscopy, the needle was extracted laparoscopically without any evidence of intra-abdominal organ injury and with a good long-term outcome for the child. There are no other such reported cases in the literature. This case highlights the subtleties in management of intra-abdominal foreign bodies in children including rare causes such noningested foreign bodies.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Abdominal Injuries / complications
  • Abdominal Pain / etiology*
  • Adolescent
  • Chronic Disease
  • Colon
  • Colonoscopy
  • Delayed Diagnosis
  • Diagnostic Errors
  • Foreign-Body Migration / diagnosis*
  • Foreign-Body Migration / etiology
  • Foreign-Body Migration / surgery
  • Humans
  • Laparoscopy*
  • Male
  • Needles*
  • Peritoneal Cavity*
  • Wounds, Penetrating / complications