Acute Appendicitis Secondary to Foreign Body Ingestion in a 5-Year-Old Girl

Foreign body (FB) ingestion is common among children. Complications following FB ingestion are reported to be around 1%. The prevalence of acute appendicitis caused by FB ingestion is rare. We present a case of a young girl who presented to the emergency department with acute appendicitis secondary to FB ingestion. A previously healthy 5-year-old girl presented to the emergency department with nonspecific gastrointestinal symptoms as well as a history of recent FB ingestion. Her physical examination was in keeping with acute appendicitis, and a computed tomography abdomen and pelvis confirmed the presence of FB distal to the neck of the appendix and measures around 6 mm causing obstruction and dilatation. At the time of laparoscopic appendectomy, acute appendicitis with perforation was confirmed and the patient had an uneventful postoperative course and was discharged home on the 5 th day with satisfactory outcome. Presentation of FB ingestion can vary. Most physicians are aware of the respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms that can occur; however, the possibility of FB causing acute appendicitis should also be considered.