Journal de gastroentérologie clinique et d'hépatologie Libre accès

Abstrait

Foreign body â?? a case of intoxication

Muhammad Shahbaz

A 49-year-old lady presented with a one day history of vomiting, abdominal pain,  and alcohol intoxication with signs of dehydration on a background of major depressive disorder. She was resuscitated with iv fluids and was started on alcohol detoxification regimen promptly. On examination her abdomen was soft but tender. X-ray Abdomen was organised which showed a foreign body in distal bowel. Initially, she denied ingestion of any foreign body on history taking.  When the results of AXR were shared with her, then she admitted swallowing a car key disc battery. She was admitted to hospital for observation. Her abdominal pain subsided and started feeling better in herself.  The following day, a repeat scan showed no evidence of foreign body in the distal part of the large bowel. Patient was reassured, no further medical or surgical input needed and was referred to Mental Health Team. Although the most of the patients with disc battery ingestion remain asymptomatic, there are cases reported in literature where serious complications developed and proved fatal. Therefore, more vigilant approach needs to be adopted where surveillance strategies can be implemented.