A fluid-filled condom causing intestinal obstruction: nonsurgical therapy of an ileus by ultrasound-guided transabdominal tapping.

Ingested foreign bodies are rare causes of intestinal obstruction in the adult. Condoms, if swallowed, are usually filled with drugs and found in body packers as a vehicle for drug smuggling. We report the case of 31-year-old male who presented with symptoms and signs of intestinal obstruction. He had swallowed a fluid-filled condom the day before. Ultrasonography of the abdomen revealed a fluid-filled foreign body within the small bowel. Due to radiological signs of an ileus and due to the fact that the patient's symptoms did not resolve after spasmolytic therapy the condom was tapped transcutaneously under ultrasonographical guidance. This procedure immediately relieved his symptoms. The further course was uneventful.