Foreign body

Foreign body
An endoscopy image of the stomach, showing a foreign body in the form of a toothbrush.
Specialty	Emergency medicine

A foreign body (FB) is any object originating outside the body of an organism. In machinery, it can mean any unwanted intruding object.

Most references to foreign bodies involve propulsion through natural orifices into hollow organs.

Foreign bodies can be inert or irritating. If they irritate they will cause inflammation and scarring. They can bring infection into the body or acquire infectious agents and protect them from the body's immune defenses. They can obstruct passageways either by their size or by the scarring they cause. Some can be toxic or generate toxic chemicals from reactions with chemicals produced by the body, as is the case with many examples of ingested metal objects.

With sufficient force (as in firing of bullets), a foreign body can become lodged into nearly any tissue.

Gastrointestinal tract

One of the most common locations for a foreign body is the

It is possible for foreign bodies to enter the tract from the mouth or rectum.

Both children and adults experience problems caused by foreign objects becoming lodged within their bodies. Young children, in particular, are naturally curious and may intentionally put shiny objects, such as coins or button batteries, into their mouths. They also like to insert objects into their ear canals and nostrils.

Sometimes foreign bodies can pass spontaneously through the gastrointestinal tract and perforate or penetrate the wall of stomach and duodenum and migrate into the pancreas. The laparoscopic approach before open surgery could be performed safely for the removal of foreign bodies embedded in the pancreas.[4]

• 
  A coin seen on AP CXR in the esophagus
• 
  A coin seen on lateral CXR in the esophagus
• 
  AP X ray showing a 9mm battery in the intestines
• 
  Lateral X ray showing a 9mm battery in the intestines
• 
  Multiple

  button batteries

  in the stomach

Airways

It is possible for a foreign body to enter the airways and cause choking.^[5] A choking case can require the fast usage of basic anti-choking techniques to clear the airway.

In one study, peanuts were the most common obstruction.^[6] In addition to peanuts, hot dogs, grapes, and latex balloons are also serious choking hazards in children that can result in death. A latex balloon will conform to the shape of the trachea, blocking the airway and making it difficult to expel with basic anti-choking techniques.^[7]

Eyes

Airborne particles can lodge in the eyes of people at any age. These foreign bodies often result in allergies which are either temporary or even turn into a chronic allergy. This is especially evident in the case of dust particles.

It is also possible for larger objects to lodge in the eye. The most common cause of intraocular foreign bodies is hammering.^[8] Corneal foreign bodies are often encountered due to occupational exposure and can be prevented by instituting safety eye-wear at work place.^[9]

Foreign bodies in the eye affect about 2 per 1,000 people per year.^[10]

Skin

Splinters are common foreign bodies in skin. Staphylococcus aureus infection often causes boils to form around them.^[11]

Tetanus prophylaxis may be appropriate.^[12]

Peritoneum

Foreign bodies in the peritoneum can include retained surgical instruments after abdominal surgery. Rarely, an intrauterine device can perforate the uterine wall and enter the peritoneum.

Foreign bodies in the peritoneum eventually become contained in a

• anus or rectum[14]
• blood vessels or thoracic system^[15]
• ears^[16]
• nose^[17]
• teeth and periodontium^[18][19]
• urethra^[20]
• vagina^[21]

Other animals

Foreign bodies are common in animals, especially young

Certain foreign bodies in animals are especially problematic. Bones or objects with sharp edges may cause tearing of the wall of the esophagus, stomach, or small intestine and lead to peritonitis. Pennies swallowed in large numbers may cause zinc poisoning, which in dogs leads to severe gastroenteritis and hemolytic anemia. Linear foreign bodies can especially be dangerous. A linear foreign body is usually a length of string or yarn with a larger object or clump of material at either end. One end is usually lodged in the stomach or proximal small intestine and the other end continues to travel through the intestines. The material becomes tightly stretched and the intestines may "accordion up" on themselves or be lacerated by it. This is especially common in cats who may enjoy playing with a ball of string or yarn. Sometimes the linear foreign body anchors in the mouth by catching under the tongue.^[23] Pantyhose is a common linear foreign body in dogs.

• 
  Bottle top swallowed by a dog
• 
  Needle swallowed by a cat

See also

• Nanomaterials
• Particulates

References