Diagnostic imaging of intra-abdominal foreign bodies

Abstract

Introduction: intra-abdominal foreign bodies constitute a health risk, and their etiology is variable, being, for example, accidental or iatrogenic. Case Report: the report of two female patients, the first one 50 years old, who presented with pain in the lower abdomen with 6 months of evolution, and referred to previous surgery for uterine myoma. Abdominal ultrasound and computed axial tomography identified a heterogeneous image in the mesogastrium that occupied the entire mesogastrium. Contrast radiography showed a fixed intestinal loop at the level of the jejunum with a filling defect. After surgery, a surgical compress resulting from the gynecological intervention was detected. The second case was a 52-year-old female patient who presented with a dark stool like coffee grounds. The patient reported having accidentally ingested a chicken bone five years ago. A simple abdominal CT scan was performed, which showed marked irregular thickening of 7 mm of the wall of a thin iliac loop, which showed a heterogeneous image with a hypodense center. Surgical intervention was performed with extraction of the foreign body, which was related to the chicken bone. Conclusions: the diagnosis of intra-abdominal foreign body is an entity that requires a high degree of suspicion, and therefore should be considered in all patients with digestive tract symptoms. Imaging studies are a powerful tool for accurate diagnosis. Adverse health events caused by intra-abdominal foreign bodies require immediate specialized assistance.

Keywords

• cuerpos extraños
• abdomen
• cavidad abdominal
• radiografía abdominal
• tomografía
• ultrasonografía.