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Case Reports
. 2015 Oct 16:2015:bcr2015212822.
doi: 10.1136/bcr-2015-212822.

Obstruction and perforation of the small bowel caused by inadvertent ingestion of a blister pill pack in an elderly patient

Ghassan Al-Ramahi  1 , Mohamed Mohamed  1 , Kristin Kennedy  1 , Michael McCann  1
Affiliations
Case Reports

Obstruction and perforation of the small bowel caused by inadvertent ingestion of a blister pill pack in an elderly patient

Ghassan Al-Ramahi et al. BMJ Case Rep. .

Abstract

Perforation of the small bowel due to foreign body ingestion is a rare instance that occurs in less than 1% of all ingestions. Although rare, ingestion of blister pill packaging is becoming more recognised as a causative agent for intestinal perforation, but is very rarely reported to cause intestinal obstruction. This is a report of a 66-year-old woman who presented with intestinal obstruction and underwent laparotomy, revealing small bowel perforation by a piece of blister pill pack foil. The patient was incognisant of the ingestion.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Plain X-ray of the abdomen (erect) showing multiple air/fluid levels.
Figure 2
Figure 2
CT of the abdomen (axial view) showing distended small bowel (white arrow), luminal narrowing of the small bowel (red arrow) corresponding to transition zone, and fat stranding (yellow arrow).
Figure 3
Figure 3
Resected segment of small bowel showing obstructed portion with pus formation, piece of a blister pill pack (white arrow) and perforation (green arrow).
Figure 4
Figure 4
Close-up of resected segment of small bowel showing perforation (green arrow) and piece of blister pill pack (white arrow).
Figure 5
Figure 5
CT of the abdomen and pelvis (sagittal view) showing piece of blister pill pack foil in the small intestine (red arrow).
Figure 6
Figure 6
CT of the abdomen and pelvis (coronal view) showing piece of blister pill pack foil in the small intestine (red arrow).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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