An apricot story: view through a keyhole

Clinical and CT findings of small bowel obstruction caused by rice cakes in comparison with bezoars

PURPOSE

Rice cakes have not been recognized as a cause of small bowel obstruction (SBO) worldwide. We compared clinical and CT findings of rice cake SBO versus SBO due to bezoars, the most common cause of food-induced SBO.

METHODS

Twenty-four patients with rice cake SBO (n = 17) or bezoar SBO (n = 7) were retrospectively evaluated for clinical findings and the following multi-detector CT (MDCT) features: identification of the transition zone, presence of intraluminal lesions, degree of obstruction, and length and attenuation of obstructing materials. Categorical variables were compared by Fisher's exact test, and continuous variables by independent t test.

RESULTS

None of the rice cake SBO patients required surgery, whereas 4/7 (57%) bezoar SBO patients underwent surgery. On MDCT, rice cake residues were recognized as well-defined intraluminal lesions of shorter length (29.8 ± 4.6 mm vs. 47.7 ± 10.8 mm for bezoars; p < 0.0001) and higher attenuation (106 ± 27.8 HU vs. - 62.8 ± 14.7 HU for bezoars; p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Rice cake SBO patients did not require surgery. On MDCT, rice cake residues were significantly shorter and higher in attenuation than bezoars. These findings facilitate diagnosis and support the conservative management of rice cake SBO.

Intestinal Obstruction Caused by a Fruit Seed: A Rare Case Without Gastrointestinal Disease

We report here a rare case of intestinal obstruction caused by a peach seed. A 15-year-old boy was admitted to our hospital because of abdominal pain and vomiting. The patient had no history of previous gastrointestinal surgery and his medical comorbidity was autism. A computed tomography (CT) scan showed an obstruction of the ileum by a foreign body. Surgical treatment was successfully performed, and we found a peach seed in the ileum. He was discharged eight days after the operation without postoperative complications. Intestinal obstruction caused by plant seeds without gastrointestinal disease is rare.

An Obstructing Small Bowel Phytobezoar in an Elderly Female Nigerian: A Case Report and Literature Review

Small bowel obstruction secondary to phytobezoars is an unusual presentation in surgery. We present a case of an elderly female patient with an insidious onset of abdominal pain, abdominal distension, and bilious vomiting diagnosed radiologically to be small bowel obstruction. Exploratory laparotomy revealed a trapped mass of vegetable matter in the distal ileum. She had enterotomy with primary closure for removal of obstructing ileal phytobezoars. Her postoperative recovery was uneventful.

Thorough documentation of the accidental aspiration and ingestion of foreign objects during dental procedure is necessary: review and analysis of 617 cases

OBJECTIVES

To review the cases of accidental aspiration and ingestion of foreign objects during dental procedure, and to emphasize the importance of thorough documentation of the accidents.

METHODS

A comprehensive search on (dental procedure/treatment/practice), (aspiration/inhalation), and (ingestion/swallow) was performed for all years before 1st October 2014 available. The statistic analysis was made on the variables including journals and reported year, patients' age, gender, general conditions, dental procedure and location for procedure, foreign objects, site of involvement, possible causes, anesthesia during procedure and treatment, symptoms, treatment time and treatment modality, follow-up, and so on.

RESULTS

A total of 617 cases reported by 45 articles from 37 kinds of journals were included and analyzed. Most reports made detailed record. While some important variables were recorded incompletely, including patient's general conditions, location for procedure, clinical experience of the involving dentists, tooth position of procedure, possible causes, and anesthesia during procedure and treatment for the accident.

CONCLUSIONS

Aspiration and ingestion of foreign objects are rare and risky complication during dental procedure. Each accident should have thorough documentation so as to provide enough information for the treatment and prevention.

Repeated Small Bowel Obstruction Caused by Chestnut Ingestion without the Formation of Phytobezoars

A small number of cases of small bowel obstruction caused by foods without the formation of phytobezoars have been reported. Repeated small bowel obstruction due to the ingestion of the same food is extremely rare. We present the case of 63-year-old woman who developed small bowel obstruction twice due to the ingestion of chestnuts without the formation of phytobezoars. This is the first reported case of repeated small bowel obstruction caused by chestnut ingestion. Careful interviews are necessary to determine the meal history of elderly patients and psychiatric patients.

Management of accidental swallowing in implant dentistry

This report describes a protocol for managing the accidental swallowing of dental instruments in implant dentistry, illustrated by a patient who accidentally swallowed a hexagonal wrench. The first step was to refer the patient to the medical emergency hospital service for radiographic and clinical evaluation. The hexagonal wrench was located in the stomach and was immediately removed with an endoscopic procedure. The gastric mucosa was sampled via biopsy and the sample submitted to the urease test, which was positive for Helicobacter pylori. Triple treatment was instituted for gastritis caused by H pylori to avoid exposing the patient to unnecessary risk. Removal of a foreign body by means of an endoscopic procedure constitutes a safe and effective treatment.

Intussusception caused by dried apricot: A case report

INTRODUCTION

An unusual cause of intussusception due to small bowel obstruction secondary to dried apricot consumption was encountered. Phytobezoar small bowel obstruction is a rare, but interesting pathology that accounts for 2–4% of small bowel obstructions (18). Even rarer, is an intussusception caused by dried fruit ingestion. We present the case of a 56-year-old female that presented with an intussusception after she ingested a large amount of dried apricots.

PRESENTATION OF CASE

The patient is a 56-year-old female with a small bowel obstruction secondary to intussusception in the distal ileum. She was taken to the operating room for a celiotomy where an intussusception of the distal small bowel was found. An enterotomy was performed which revealed dried apricots as the lead point. The intussusception was successfully reduced and the apricots removed.

DISCUSSION

Small bowel obstruction due to intussusception can be caused secondary to malignancy, Meckel's Diverticulum, benign neoplasm, and strictures. A less common cause for small bowel obstruction due to intussusception in adults is secondary to mechanical obstruction by bezoars. Risk factors for bezoar formation include previous gastric surgery, diabetes, and mastication problems.

CONCLUSION

Bezoars are an extremely rare cause of intussusception in adults. A high level of suspicion needs to exist in the presence of a history of eating dried fruit, history of gastric surgery, diabetes mellitus, and problems with mastication. Various treatment modalities exist to treat obstructions secondary to bezoars, including open reduction and removal of bezoar via enterotomy.

Intestinal obstruction due to migration of a thermometer from bladder to abdominal cavity: A case report

Intraperitoneal foreign bodies such as retained surgical instruments can cause intestinal obstruction. However, intestinal obstruction due to transmural migration of foreign bodies has rarely been reported. Here, we report a case of intestinal obstruction due to a clinical thermometer which migrated from the bladder into the abdominal cavity. A 45-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with a one-year history of recurrent lower abdominal cramps. Two days before admission, the abdominal cramps aggravated. Intestinal obstruction was confirmed with upright abdominal radiography and computerized tomography scan which showed dilation of the small intestines and a thermometer in the abdominal cavity. Then laparotomy was performed. A scar was observed at the fundus of the bladder and a thermometer was adhering to the small bowels and mesentery which resulted in intestinal obstruction. Abdominal cramps were eliminated and defecation and flatus recovered soon after removal of the thermometer.

Duodenal perforation caused by a bird feather

Ingestion of gastrointestinal (GI) foreign bodies represents a challenging clinical scenario. The greater risk is at extremes of age, in those wearing dentures, alcoholics and mentally handicapped. We present a case of duodenal perforation caused by a bird feather. A 64-year-old man was presented with abdominal pain for 4 days. Abdominal examination showed signs of peritonitis. The erect abdominal x-ray showed free gas under diaphragm. Exploratory laparotomy showed purulent fluid, but no definite site of perforation could be found. So the abdomen was closed with a drain in Morison's pouch. The postoperative recovery was uneventful. He came for a repeat check-up at 4 weeks with dull aching pain in the upper abdomen and was advised for a routine upper GI endoscopy which revealed a feather penetrating the first part of the duodenum, which was removed with a foreign body removing forceps. GI foreign bodies represent a significant problem and an increased level of suspicion is important for timely diagnosis and treatment.