SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Never Brush Off Abdominal Pain: A Case of Grill Brush Bristle Causing Colonic Perforation

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This case report describes a rare cause of acute abdominal pain and enteritis due to accidental grill brush bristle ingestion. Acute abdominal pain is a common emergency department complaint, and enteritis has a broad differential, but foreign body ingestion should be considered, especially when the cause is unclear. Grill brush bristles can detach, stick to food, and be swallowed. Although foreign body injuries more commonly involve the throat or esophagus, colonic perforation is uncommon.<br /><br />A 56-year-old woman with scleroderma, Sjögren’s syndrome, GERD, and hypertension presented with 3 days of abdominal pain, nausea, decreased oral intake, distension, and no bowel movements or flatus. She was tachycardic and had diffuse abdominal tenderness without peritoneal signs. Initial labs showed leukocytosis, markedly elevated inflammatory markers, and mildly elevated lactate. A CT scan showed enteritis but no clear perforation.<br /><br />Further evaluation, including stool testing, inflammatory markers, endoscopy, biopsies, and aspirates, did not identify a typical infectious or inflammatory cause. Computed tomography enterography later demonstrated sigmoid colon microperforation with a small adjacent abscess and a retained linear foreign body in the jejunum. Retrospective review of the original CT also suggested linear foreign bodies in the jejunum and sigmoid colon, consistent with grill brush bristles. The patient then recalled eating grilled food about two weeks earlier.<br /><br />She was managed conservatively with observation and antibiotics, and repeat imaging showed passage of the remaining foreign body and resolution of inflammation. At 6-week follow-up, imaging confirmed improvement. The case highlights the importance of considering foreign body ingestion, including grill brush bristles, in unexplained enteritis and abdominal pain.

Asset Subtitle

Bibek Saha

Meta Tag

Author List Alex Danielson, Allison A. Reinhardt, Bibek Saha, Bright Thilagar, Jenny Jia Ling Cao, Joelle N. Friesen

Category Clinical Vignettes

Concept Grill Brush Bristle

Concept Foreign Body Ingestion

Concept Enteritis

Concept Microperforation

Concept Abdominal Pain

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization Mayo Clinic Rochester

Presenting Author Bibek Saha

Track Adult

Keywords

acute abdominal pain

enteritis

foreign body ingestion

grill brush bristle

sigmoid colon microperforation

jejunal foreign body

abdominal CT

small abscess

conservative management

grilled food ingestion

Grill Brush Bristle

Foreign Body Ingestion

Enteritis

Microperforation

Abdominal Pain