CT Features of Saba Senegalensis (a Tropical Fruit) in Patients with Abdominal Pain

Abstract

Saba senegalensis (SS) is a well-known and commonly eaten fruit in Western Africa, especially in the rainy season when it is abundant. The ingestion of its seeds may cause abdominal pain and bowel obstruction. This cause might not be recognized by radiologists who are not aware of SS CT features. We thus present the characteristic CT features of SS as found in patients presenting with abdominal pain and incidentally in others. We also discuss the differential diagnosis with the cowries (ornament) and other similar fruits as imaged on CT.

Keywords

• Abdominal pain
• Bowel obstruction
• Saba senegalensis
• Cowries
• Phytobezoar