Laparoscopic retrieval of a fishbone migrating from the stomach causing a liver abscess: Report of case and literature review

Abstract

Ingestion of foreign bodies (FBs) is a common misfortune worldwide. Fishbone migration from the gastrointestinal tract into the liver is an unusual cause of liver abscess. We present a 66-year-old woman who presented to the emergency department with epigastric pain, with no other relevant anamnestic details. Computed tomography scan revealed a liver abscess, secondary to stomach perforation from a long, sharp object. Diagnostic laparoscopy revealed a fishbone protruding from the left lobe of the liver. The FB was extracted and the liver abscess incised and drained laparoscopically with no operative and post-operative complications. Migration of FB into the liver is a rare occurrence. Treatment of such liver abscess must include the extraction of the FB. Laparoscopy in these cases is feasible and safe and may prevent unnecessary exploratory laparotomy.

Keywords

• abscess
• foreign body
• gastrointestinal tract
• liver