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Case Reports
. 2009 Jan;78(1):4-6.

Magnet induced perforated appendicitis and ileo-caecal fistula formation

Andrew J Robinson  1 , Janne Bingham, Ronald L E Thompson
Affiliations
Case Reports

Magnet induced perforated appendicitis and ileo-caecal fistula formation

Andrew J Robinson et al. Ulster Med J. 2009 Jan.

Abstract

Foreign body ingestion is a common paediatric problem. In the majority of cases spontaneous passage occurs. Magnet ingestion is rare and solitary magnet ingestion usually does not cause any complications. A number of gastrointestinal complications have been reported, such as fistula formation, perforation and volvulus following multiple magnet ingestion. We review magnet ingestion and describe the first case in the literature of magnet induced perforated appendicitis with an associated ileo-caecal fistula.

Keywords: appendicitis; foreign body ingestion; magnets; small bowel fistula.

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Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1
Abdominal X-ray: demonstrating a foreign body in the region of the ileo-caecal valve. There was no small bowel dilatation and there was air in the rectum.
Fig 2
Fig 2
Intra-operative photograph demonstrating an ileo-caecal fistula and perforated appendix
Fig 3
Fig 3
Foreign bodies found in the caecum and ileum, which turned out to be magnets
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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