TOOTHPICK PERFORATION OF THE INTESTINE DIAGNOSED BY A SMALL-BOWEL SERIES

We report the case of a 50-yr-old man who unknowingly swallowed a doub le-pointed toothpick that ultimately perforated the distal small bowel over a period of several weeks, Appendicitis and ileitis were sequent ially considered as diagnosis, A foreign body was diagnosed on a secon d small bowel series and removed, It-has been noted that, because toot hpicks are not radiopaque, radiographic studies are not useful in the diagnostic workup, In the case reported, the toothpick was seen on the contrast radiograph of the small bowel and the correct diagnosis ulti mately made.