Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Case Report
Abstract: Acute appendicitis is the most common surgical emergency, typically resulting from luminal obstruction caused by inspissated stool, lymphoid hyperplasia, vegetable seeds, parasites, or, rarely, foreign bodies. We report the case of a 10-year-old girl presenting with acute abdominal pain, nausea, and loss of appetite. Ultrasound and laboratory findings were diagnostic for acute appendicitis. Her previous urinary tract infection initially obscured the clinical picture, delaying suspicion of an alternative cause. The discovery of a metallic pin within the inflamed appendix highlights the importance of thorough evaluation when symptoms are atypical or recurrent. While CT scans are highly accurate for identifying ingested foreign objects, ultrasound remains a valuable radiation-free modality in pediatric patients. This case reinforces the need for prompt assessment of unusual abdominal symptoms and for considering foreign body ingestion in the differential diagnosis. It also underscores the importance of parental education to prevent accidental ingestion of sharp objects in children.
Source: Cureus
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.97483
Institutions: Idlib University, University of Aleppo
Language: English
Topic: Foreign Body Medical Cases
Subfield: Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Imaging
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4416536898