ROLE OF PLAIN RADIOGRAPHS IN EVALUATION OF RADIOPAQUE FOREIGN BODIES IN GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT

BACKGROUND Foreign bodies in gastrointestinal tract is clinically a serious condition with associated risks for morbidity and mortality. Commonly found objects include coins, fish bones, chicken bones, pieces of glass, dental prosthesis, batteries and needles. The goals of initial assessment are to identify the type of object and its location in the gastrointestinal tract. Plain radiographs helps in the localisation of radiopaque foreign bodies and in assessing the type of foreign body. Aim of the study is to evaluate the usefulness of plain radiographs in the evaluation of foreign bodies in gastrointestinal tract. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study is a retrospective study of 30 cases from February 2016 to July 2016 in the age group 1 to 65 years who presented in the emergency department with the history of radiopaque foreign body ingestion or insertion. Plain radiographs were taken for the patients for assessing the location and type of foreign body. RESULTS Of the 30 cases, coins were the commonest foreign body ingested with 14 cases. 5 cases were fish bone ingestion, 3 cases were safety pins, 3 cases were dentures and dental wires, 2 cases were chicken bone, 1 case was pendant, 1 case was glass piece and 1 case was bathroom faucet. The foreign bodies were mostly located in the stomach (10 out of 30 cases). Retropharyngeal air was seen in one of the cases indicating perforation of pharynx by the foreign body. CONCLUSIONS The study concluded that plain radiographs are helpful in identifying the type of radiopaque foreign body and in the localisation of foreign body in the gastrointestinal tract. Complications of foreign body ingestion like perforation can also be diagnosed in plain radiographs. The study also concluded that plain radiographs are useful in following the foreign body in gastrointestinal tract and also in giving a road map to the surgeons for the management of the foreign body in the gastrointestinal tract.