An unusual extraction; retrieval of a swallowed crown by appendicectomy

doi:doi:10.1038/bdj.2007.76

British Dental Journal 202, 141 - 142 (2007)
doi:10.1038/bdj.2007.76

Subject Categories: Case reports | Medical matters

An unusual extraction; retrieval of a swallowed crown by appendicectomy

P. Glen¹, U. Ihedioha² and I. Mackenzie³

Explains how swallowed foreign bodies can have serious complications.
Addresses the issue of when it is appropriate to refer for colonoscopy.

We report the case of a patient who swallowed a crown and three weeks later presented with abdominal pain and fever. At operation his crown was found to be causing appendicitis. Foreign bodies have previously been reported as causing appendicitis but never a crown. We discuss the appropriateness of abdominal radiology in the management of such foreign bodies.

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Department of Surgery, Monklands District General Hospital, Monkscourt Avenue, Airdrie, Lanarkshire, ML6 0JS
Department of Surgery, Monklands District General Hospital, Monkscourt Avenue, Airdrie, Lanarkshire, ML6 0JS
Department of Surgery, Monklands District General Hospital, Monkscourt Avenue, Airdrie, Lanarkshire, ML6 0JS

Correspondence to: P. Glen¹ e-mail: paul.glen@ntlworld.com