gastrointestinal disorders
Gastric and Intestinal Foreign Bodies
Diagnosis of Gastric and Intestinal Foreign Bodies
Imaging studies Endoscopy Abdominal x-rays may be done to identify the foreign object and are useful for following the progression of the object through the GI tract. Abdominal x-rays with chest x-rays are also important for identifying signs of perforation (eg, free air that is subdiaphragmatic, mediastinal, or subcutaneous). A portable metal detector can be helpful in localizing metallic foreign bodies, particularly in children. If plain x-rays are negative, a CT scan may be helpful. Suspected body packers and stuffers are usually brought to medical attention by law enforcement officials. Plain x-rays can often confirm the presence of packets in the GI tract. If these x-rays are negative, a CT scan may be helpful. This x-ray shows a coin that was swallowed by a young child. DU CANE MEDICAL IMAGING LTD/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY This image shows drug packets in the stomach. Image provided by Alan Gingold, DO. This image shows a drug packet in the stomach. Image provided by Alan Gingold, DO. This endoscopic image shows a sharp foreign body in the stomach. Image provided by Uday Shankar, MD. Image courtesy of Zubair Malik, MD. Image courtesy of Zubair Malik, MD. Endoscopy allows detailed identification of a gastric foreign body. 