Foreign body ingestion: A case of wine-cork ingestion due to chronic alcoholism leading to ileus

Abstract

Ingestion of foreign bodies is a rare clinical problem in healthy adults. Less than 1% of cases need surgery due to perforation or obstruction. Here, we describe an unusual case of a wine-cork ingestion by a 54-year-old woman with a history of chronic alcohol consumption. Computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen and pelvis revealed foreign body (FB) in terminal ileum. The proximal part of the ileum was dilated due to obstruction. Laparotomy was performed, and the FB was removed without complications. Most ingested FBs spontaneously pass through the gastrointestinal tract. However, in rare instances, the FB can cause obstruction. In case of suspicion of serious complications such as obstruction and perforation, abdominopelvic CT should be used. The application of radiographic techniques in the identification of FBs and the assessment of potential complications plays a crucial role in expediting medical interventions for patients.