Occurrence of multiple fistulas decades after ingestion and neglect of numerous thermometers: a case report

Abstract Background Ingestion of thermometers is a very rare occurrence and associated with penetrations of hollow organs. An event decades ago can lead to the development of fistulas. Case presentation We present a case of a 62-year-old male who swallowed multiple thermometers with a length of up t...

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Main Authors: Katrin Schulte, Henning Wendelin Wolf
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Japan Surgical Society 2024-01-01
Series:Surgical Case Reports
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s40792-023-01801-w
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author Katrin Schulte
Henning Wendelin Wolf
author_facet Katrin Schulte
Henning Wendelin Wolf
author_sort Katrin Schulte
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Ingestion of thermometers is a very rare occurrence and associated with penetrations of hollow organs. An event decades ago can lead to the development of fistulas. Case presentation We present a case of a 62-year-old male who swallowed multiple thermometers with a length of up to 22 cm over a period of 40 years. Diagnostic imaging presented a retroperitoneal abscess due to a duodenal perforation of the longest thermometer as well as multiple other thermometers stuck in the small intestine. After all thermometers were removed and the abscess drained, the patient showed a clinical deterioration. In further operations we found a duodeno-sigmoid fistula and a gastro-thoracal fistula, which were not visible in the initial operations and imaging. Conclusion We recommend an active search for fistulas especially in the case of long-foregone ingestion.
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publishDate 2024-01-01
publisher Japan Surgical Society
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spelling doaj-art-4fdc16aa4e1d44e3a91f1dab9b6426172025-08-20T03:34:36ZengJapan Surgical SocietySurgical Case Reports2198-77932024-01-011011510.1186/s40792-023-01801-wOccurrence of multiple fistulas decades after ingestion and neglect of numerous thermometers: a case reportKatrin Schulte0Henning Wendelin Wolf1General and Visceral Surgery, Cantonal Hospital AarauGeneral and Visceral Surgery, Cantonal Hospital AarauAbstract Background Ingestion of thermometers is a very rare occurrence and associated with penetrations of hollow organs. An event decades ago can lead to the development of fistulas. Case presentation We present a case of a 62-year-old male who swallowed multiple thermometers with a length of up to 22 cm over a period of 40 years. Diagnostic imaging presented a retroperitoneal abscess due to a duodenal perforation of the longest thermometer as well as multiple other thermometers stuck in the small intestine. After all thermometers were removed and the abscess drained, the patient showed a clinical deterioration. In further operations we found a duodeno-sigmoid fistula and a gastro-thoracal fistula, which were not visible in the initial operations and imaging. Conclusion We recommend an active search for fistulas especially in the case of long-foregone ingestion.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40792-023-01801-wForeign body ingestionThermometerEndoscopic removalFistulasCase report
spellingShingle Katrin Schulte
Henning Wendelin Wolf
Occurrence of multiple fistulas decades after ingestion and neglect of numerous thermometers: a case report
Surgical Case Reports
Foreign body ingestion
Thermometer
Endoscopic removal
Fistulas
Case report
title Occurrence of multiple fistulas decades after ingestion and neglect of numerous thermometers: a case report
title_full Occurrence of multiple fistulas decades after ingestion and neglect of numerous thermometers: a case report
title_fullStr Occurrence of multiple fistulas decades after ingestion and neglect of numerous thermometers: a case report
title_full_unstemmed Occurrence of multiple fistulas decades after ingestion and neglect of numerous thermometers: a case report
title_short Occurrence of multiple fistulas decades after ingestion and neglect of numerous thermometers: a case report
title_sort occurrence of multiple fistulas decades after ingestion and neglect of numerous thermometers a case report
topic Foreign body ingestion
Thermometer
Endoscopic removal
Fistulas
Case report
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s40792-023-01801-w
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AT henningwendelinwolf occurrenceofmultiplefistulasdecadesafteringestionandneglectofnumerousthermometersacasereport