Case report: An unusual case of small bowel bleeding and common iliac artery pseudoaneurysm caused by an unnoticed swallowed toothpick

Gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding is a common clinical condition that can be caused by a variety of reasons. Bleeding can occur anywhere in the GI tract, and it usually presents as vomiting of blood, melena or black stools. We herein present a case of a 48-year-old man who was ultimately diagnosed with...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Yao Xiong, Jing Yan, Gaowu Yan, Lei Feng, Yong Li, Suyu He, Ruyi Li, Gangcheng Tan, Bo Feng
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2023-06-01
Series:Frontiers in Medicine
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmed.2023.1182746/full
Description
Summary:Gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding is a common clinical condition that can be caused by a variety of reasons. Bleeding can occur anywhere in the GI tract, and it usually presents as vomiting of blood, melena or black stools. We herein present a case of a 48-year-old man who was ultimately diagnosed with perforation of the lower ileum, pseudoaneurysm of the right common iliac artery, lower ileum-right common iliac artery fistula, and pelvic abscess caused by accidental ingestion of a toothpick. This case suggests that accidental ingestion of a toothpick may also be the cause of GI bleeding in some patients. For patients with unexplained GI bleeding, especially those with small bowel bleeding, a rational and combined use of gastroduodenoscopy, colonoscopy, unenhanced and contrast-enhanced abdominal CT can help detect the causes of GI bleeding and improve diagnostic accuracy.
ISSN:2296-858X