Endoscopy 2010; 42: E209-E210
DOI: 10.1055/s-0030-1255712
Unusual cases and technical notes

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

An unusual finding during screening colonoscopy: A cockroach!

A.  R.  Kumar1 , J.  A.  Perez1 , 2 , R.  Miick3 , Y.  K.  Govil1 , 2
  • 1Department of Internal Medicine, Albert Einstein Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
  • 2Division of Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Albert Einstein Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
  • 3Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Albert Einstein Medical Center,, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Further Information

A. R. KumarMD, MPH 

Albert Einstein Medical Center

5501 Old York Road
Philadelphia
Pennsylvania 19141
USA

Fax: +215-456-7926

Email: K.Anand.R@gmail.com

Publication History

Publication Date:
15 September 2010 (online)

Table of Contents

A 52-year-old woman with a history of depression was referred by her primary physician for colorectal cancer screening. She had no family history of colorectal cancer and a review of systems was positive for abdominal bloating. Bowel preparation was done using 4 L of polyethylene glycol the evening prior to screening colonoscopy. The procedure was uncomplicated with no gross mucosal pathology, however, an insect was found in the transverse colon ([Fig. 1]).

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Fig. 1 A nymph cockroach belonging to the Blattellidae family, Blattella germanica (German cockroach), was found in the transverse colon on a routine screening colonoscopy.

The insect was aspirated and sent to the lab for further identification. The insect had three body segments (head, thorax, and abdomen) with ventrodorsal flattening of the body and a segmented abdomen, three pairs of legs extending from the thorax (with spikes and claw-like terminal appendages), elongated hind legs, and a pair of elongated antennae extending from the head to beyond the hind legs ([Figs. 2] and [3]).

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Fig. 2 Whole mount of the insect under a light microscope showing three body segments (head, thorax, and abdomen) with ventrodorsal flattening and segmented abdomen (magnification × 20).

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Fig. 3 Three pairs of legs originating from the thorax, with spikes and claw-like terminal appendages (magnification × 200).

These morphologic findings were most consistent with the nymph form of Blattella germanica (German cockroach) of the Blattellidae family, a common household pest. The patient had a cockroach infestation at home and hence it was hypothesized that she may have inadvertently ingested a cockroach with food.

Only a few cases of finding insects within the gastrointestinal tract have been described in the existing literature [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7]. After a comprehensive MEDLINE search, our case is the third reporting any insect in the colon and the first reporting a cockroach in the colon or anywhere in the gastrointestinal tract [1] [6]. Ants, wasps, ladybirds, bees, and yellow-jackets are among the other insects accidentally ingested and found on endoscopy in the reported literature. The complex exoskeleton (“cuticle”) of the cockroach is probably resistant to the action of human digestive system. The insects are most likely carried into the gastrointestinal tract by the accidental ingestion of infested or contaminated food that serves as an inanimate vector. In many parts of the world, however, cockroaches and other insects in their various forms are considered a form of food delicacy.

Competing interests: None

Endoscopy_UCTN_Code_CCL_1AD_2AJ

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References

  • 1 Boardman C R, Sonnenberg A. Upping the “ant-e” on endoscopic ant sightings.  Gastrointest Endosc. 2009;  70 1245-1246
  • 2 Chaturvedi V N, Raizada R M, Behl R, Hasan W. Oesophageal foreign body: unusual mode of entry and presentation.  Indian J Chest Dis Allied Sci. 1982;  24 40-42
  • 3 Girardi A. The bee: an unusual gastric foreign body.  Endoscopy. 1990;  22 240
  • 4 Houston H E. Letter: An unusual esophageal foreign body: dead or alive?.  Arch Surg. 1975;  110 1516
  • 5 Kesseler P, Schoenemann J. Unusual summertime foreign body in the esophagus.  Endoscopy. 1999;  31 S24
  • 6 Payen J L, Hervieu C, Couret B, Pascal J P. Images in focus. A strange resident in the colon.  Endoscopy. 2000;  32 S51
  • 7 Shaoul R, Rainis T. The new meaning of “ant-acid”.  Gastrointest Endosc. 2008;  67 748

A. R. KumarMD, MPH 

Albert Einstein Medical Center

5501 Old York Road
Philadelphia
Pennsylvania 19141
USA

Fax: +215-456-7926

Email: K.Anand.R@gmail.com

#

References

  • 1 Boardman C R, Sonnenberg A. Upping the “ant-e” on endoscopic ant sightings.  Gastrointest Endosc. 2009;  70 1245-1246
  • 2 Chaturvedi V N, Raizada R M, Behl R, Hasan W. Oesophageal foreign body: unusual mode of entry and presentation.  Indian J Chest Dis Allied Sci. 1982;  24 40-42
  • 3 Girardi A. The bee: an unusual gastric foreign body.  Endoscopy. 1990;  22 240
  • 4 Houston H E. Letter: An unusual esophageal foreign body: dead or alive?.  Arch Surg. 1975;  110 1516
  • 5 Kesseler P, Schoenemann J. Unusual summertime foreign body in the esophagus.  Endoscopy. 1999;  31 S24
  • 6 Payen J L, Hervieu C, Couret B, Pascal J P. Images in focus. A strange resident in the colon.  Endoscopy. 2000;  32 S51
  • 7 Shaoul R, Rainis T. The new meaning of “ant-acid”.  Gastrointest Endosc. 2008;  67 748

A. R. KumarMD, MPH 

Albert Einstein Medical Center

5501 Old York Road
Philadelphia
Pennsylvania 19141
USA

Fax: +215-456-7926

Email: K.Anand.R@gmail.com

Zoom Image

Fig. 1 A nymph cockroach belonging to the Blattellidae family, Blattella germanica (German cockroach), was found in the transverse colon on a routine screening colonoscopy.

Zoom Image

Fig. 2 Whole mount of the insect under a light microscope showing three body segments (head, thorax, and abdomen) with ventrodorsal flattening and segmented abdomen (magnification × 20).

Zoom Image

Fig. 3 Three pairs of legs originating from the thorax, with spikes and claw-like terminal appendages (magnification × 200).