Pictorial essay: foreign body of the gastrointestinal tract in emergency radiology

Radiol Med. 2004 Mar;107(3):145-52; quiz 153-4.
[Article in English, Italian]

Abstract

The ingestion of a foreign body is a relatively common gastrointestinal emergency that causes significant morbidity. Radiological procedures play a very important role in revealing the presence, the location and the nature of an ingested foreign body, thus enabling the best therapeutic approach. We present the radiological features of common and uncommon foreign bodies ingested or with transanal insertion, differentiated on the basis of the location in the gastrointestinal tract. Diagnostic pitfalls are also considered.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Digestive System / diagnostic imaging*
  • Emergencies*
  • Foreign Bodies / diagnostic imaging*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed