An Unusual Small Bowel Perforation by a Foreign Body

Laboratory data disclosed a normal white blood cell count without left shift (7410/L). An abdominal X-ray showed a calcic image in the lower right abdominal quadrant ( fig. 1 ). Acute appendicitis was considered; a CT scan was done showing a foreign body, an enlarged segment of small bowel and free intraperitoneal fluid ( fig. 2 ). An otherwise healthy 56-year-old woman was admitted for abdominal pain. Approximately 2 h before admission, the patient had begun to experience abdominal pain and vomiting. She had fever, and presented with abdominal pain and tenderness in the lower right abdominal quadrant on physical examination. Published online: May 15, 2007