Ileal perforation peritonitis secondary to ingestion of magnetic beads in the older child: A case report.

INTRODUCTION AND

IMPORTANCE

Foreign body ingestion is frequent in younger children, with generally good outcome on conservative management. However, magnetic beads ingestion is an exceptional cause of intestinal perforation in the older children.

CASE PRESENTATION: An 8-year-old boy presented with clinical signs of generalized acute peritonitis. Abdominal plain X-ray confirmed the foreign object in the digestive tract and oriented the etiology by highlighting several air-fluid levels, distended small bowel loops, pneumoperitoneum and the presence of a bilobed foreign body projected adjacent to the 5th lumbar vertebra. Open surgical exploration was performed and revealed a peritoneal fluid, 2 perforations in the small bowel and 2 adhered pieces of magnets. A 20 cm ileal resection, including the segment with the 2 perforations, was performed followed by a terminal ileostomy. The restoration of gastrointestinal continuity was performed 16 days later. After a follow-up of 2 years and 8 months, the patient was free of any symptom.

CLINICAL DISCUSSION: In cases of acute peritonitis due to perforation, the general condition deteriorates progressively. Fever may be absent, as was the case with our patient. Abdominal pain is the predominant symptom, it is often accompanied by vomiting that can be alimentary, bilious, or even fecaloid and/or by cessation of bowel movements and/or gas. Abdominal rigidity is a major physical sign, sometimes replaced by generalized guarding.

CONCLUSION

Ingestion of gastrointestinal foreign bodies is rare in older children, the presence of more than one magnet can lead to peritonitis due to intestinal perforation.