Endoscopic ultrasound in the diagnosis of foreign bodies of the colon and rectum

Abstract

SUMMARY Although the ingestion of foreign bodies is a common clinical problem, severe complications such as perforation are rare and occur in less than 1% of cases. Different types of foreign bodies and the various affected regions within the gastrointestinal tract make foreign body ingestion a complex entity, with a wide range of presentation requiring different diagnostic modalities. We report two cases of patients who underwent endoscopic ultrasound for evaluation of sub-epithelial lesions consisting of foreign body granulomas in the colon and rectum. Colorectal foreign body granuloma is a rare complication after accidental ingestion. Endoscopic ultrasound can be a useful diagnostic tool and can avoid the need for more invasive procedures.