A 13-month-old girl was admitted because of the observation over a month previously
of a screw-like foreign body in the right lower quadrant. The patient was asymptomatic;
physical examination showed normal findings. After admission, an X-ray showed a screw
in the right lower quadrant ([Fig. 1]). Our initial attempts to find the object by colonoscopy failed. Subsequently, a
foreign body in the appendix was suspected, and ultrasound examination confirmed that
this was indeed the case ([Fig. 2]). After communication with the parents, they were first referred to endoscopic treatment
for the child.
Fig. 1 X-ray showed a screw (arrow) in the right lower quadrant in a 13-month-old girl.
Fig. 2 Ultrasound imaging of the appendix demonstrated the intraluminal position of the screw
(red rectangle).
Endoscopic treatment was performed under anesthesia with endotracheal intubation.
We used a colonoscope with a clear cap (H290I; Olympus, Tokyo, Japan) to intubate
the cecum and observe the appendiceal orifice, which we found to be smooth. Subsequently,
we inserted a disposable biliopancreatic duct imaging catheter (DPIC, D-000021494;
Micro-Tech, Nanjing, China) into the appendiceal orifice and, after irrigation, found
the screw deep in the appendix. Finally, we used a spiral stone extraction basket
(CEB00000; Nanjing Weike Technology, China) to remove the screw ([Video 1], [Fig. 3], [Fig. 4]). The patient had no postoperative complications and was discharged 2 days later.
Fig. 3 The screw was removed using a spiral stone-extractor basket.
Fig. 4 The removed screw.
Endoscopic removal of a foreign body (a screw) in the appendix of a 13-month-old girl.Video
1
Appendiceal foreign bodies in children are very rare. The largest series, reported
by Fuller et al., showed that hair and plant material were the most common foreign
objects found in the appendix [1]. Appendiceal foreign bodies in children are sometimes asymptomatic; however, they
may lead to perforation, secondary appendiceal abscess and abdominal infection [2]
[3]. The appendiceal cavity in children is very narrow; it is difficult for foreign
bodies to be expelled spontaneously once they enter into the appendix, except in a
few cases [4]. To the best of our knowledge, our patient is the youngest and lightest patient
in whom a biliopancreatic duct imaging system was used to enable endoscopic retrograde
treatment for an appendiceal foreign body.
Endoscopy_UCTN_Code_TTT_1AQ_2AH
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