Successful Removal of a Screw Nail in the Jejunum Using Double-Balloon Enteroscopy

Dong Ju Kim; Myoung Ki Sim; Sang Wook Lee; Tae Hee Lee

doi:10.5946/ce.2015.48.5.444

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Case Report Successful Removal of a Screw Nail in the Jejunum Using Double-Balloon Enteroscopy: Dong Ju Kim¹, Myoung Ki Sim¹, Sang Wook Lee², Tae Hee Lee³; Clinical Endoscopy 2015;48(5):444-446.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5946/ce.2015.48.5.444
Published online: September 30, 2015

¹Department of Internal Medicine, Sahmyook Medical Center, Seoul, Korea.

²Department of Internal Medicine, Seongbuk Joongang Hospital, Seoul, Korea.

³Institute for Digestive Research, Soonchunhyang University Hospital, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.

Correspondence: Tae Hee Lee. Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Soonchunhyang University Hospital, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, 59 Daesagwan-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul 04401, Korea. Tel: +82-2-709-9114, Fax: +82-2-709-9696, iman0825@schmc.ac.kr

• Received: July 24, 2014 • Revised: December 3, 2014 • Accepted: December 3, 2014

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

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Abstract
INTRODUCTION
CASE REPORT
DISCUSSION
NOTES
REFERENCES

Abstract

The vast majority of foreign bodies (FBs) that enter the stomach pass through the gastrointestinal tract spontaneously. When the FB enters the small bowel-beyond the reach of conventional endoscopy-daily radiographs are needed to ensure its safe passage. However, endoscopic intervention is an appropriate management strategy for a sharp-pointed FB, because sharp FBs have a higher risk of intestinal perforation. We describe here a case in which a 1.5-cm, sharp-pointed screw nail in the proximal jejunum was removed successfully by double-balloon enteroscopy from a 19-year-old-male with autism. This case adds to the growing body of evidence demonstrating the value of therapeutic double-balloon enteroscopy in the field of FB ingestion
Keywords: Double-balloon enteroscopy; Endoscopic removal of sharp objects; Foreign bodies; Jejunum; Screw nail

INTRODUCTION

Inedible foreign body (FB) ingestions occur more frequently in denture users, incarcerated individuals, and patients with psychiatric disorders or alcohol intoxication.1

Before the double-balloon enteroscopy (DBE) era, daily radiographs were recommended to ensure the safe passage of a FB through the small bowel. If there is no distal progression over a 3-day period or if the patient becomes symptomatic, emergency surgical consultation should be obtained.2 DBE has led to improvements in both the diagnosis and therapy of small bowel bleeding. DBE is also reported to be clinically useful for management of small bowel Crohn's disease and tumors.3 4

In cases of FBs in the small bowel, conservative management may be inappropriate in a patient with autism because of an inability to properly assess the symptoms. A sharp-oriented FB in the small bowel has a high risk of intestinal perforation.1 DBE is expected to be useful clinically for removal of sharp FBs beyond the reach of conventional endoscopy.

However, there have been few reports on the therapeutic role of DBE in small bowel FB.5 6 Herein we describe a case of successful removal of a screw nail in the jejunum using DBE in a 19-year-old male patient with autism.

CASE REPORT

A 19-year-old male patient with autism was referred to our hospital because of suspected ingestion of a FB. His teacher found that a 1.5-cm sharp-oriented screw nail was missing from his table in the crafts class of a special school for the disabled, and his teacher suspected that he had ingested it 3 hours before referral. He did not present any symptoms. He did not have a previous history of pica. We were unable to obtain the patient's history and perform a physical examination due to the patient's noncooperation and intellectual disability. His laboratory examination showed leukocytosis (13,200/µL); other values were unremarkable. Abdominal simple radiography detected the presence of foreign material (Fig. 1A). Abdominal computed tomography facilitated determination of the location of the FB and revealed a sharp, pointed screw nail in the proximal jejunum without evidence of small bowel perforation (Fig. 1B). We decided to remove the FB endoscopically because of its sharp nature and difficulty in the assessment of the patient's symptoms. The procedure was performed using the 9.5-mm enteroscope Fujinon EN-450T5 (Fujinon Inc., Saitama, Japan). The examination began with the overtube back-loaded onto the endoscope with both balloons collapsed. The endoscope was advanced into the bowel lumen until no further advancement was possible. The balloon on the tip of the endoscope was then inflated. This was followed by inserting the overtube into the lumen and inflating the overtube balloon. Using the overtube as an anchor, the balloon of the endoscope was deflated, and the endoscope was advanced deeper into the small bowel. Thus, the endoscope was advanced along the small bowel by inflating and deflating the two balloons.

The oral approach was determined based on the assumed location of the FB. Sedation was achieved using midazolam (10 mg) and meperidine (50 mg). The patient was 177 centimeters tall and weighed 73 kg. Initially, doses of midazolam 3 mg and meperidine 50 mg were administered to him. During the endoscopic procedure, the oxygen desaturation was not seen but he was not calmed down and uncooperative with initial administration of combined midazolam and meperidine. Consequently, we restrained him and injected additional dose of midazolam. Therefore he was administered midazolam additionally up to total dose of 10 mg for proper conscious sedatation. DBE revealed that the FB was located in the proximal jejunum; no endoscopic evidence of perforation was identified (Fig. 2A).

Endoscopic removal of the screw nail was attempted using a polypectomy snare. Initially, we tried to hold the sharp end of the screw nail and push and pull the scope backwards towards the oral side, hoping not to penetrate the jejunal wall and to avoid bending the snare arm (Fig. 2B). Finally, we released the screw nail from the jejunal wall, directing sharp end of the screw nail to the oral side, and removed it from the jejunum without complications. No complications were evident the day after the procedure, and the patient was discharged.

DISCUSSION

The management strategy for ingested FBs depends on their nature, location, duration of impact, and the patient's clinical status.1 If the FB passes into the stomach, endoscopic removal is needed in the following cases: a sharp FB, those longer than 6 cm in length or 2.5 cm in diameter, FB retention in the stomach beyond 3 to 4 weeks, battery retention in the stomach beyond 2 days, and magnets in the upper GI tract within the reach of endoscopy.7 Less than 1% of FBs that enter the stomach cause perforation of the bowel. However, the rate of intestinal perforation caused by sharp objects is reported to be 35% (usually at the ileocecal valve).1 Daily radiographs are recommended in cases of a sharp FB in the small bowel, even if the patient is asymptomatic. Unless there is distal progression over a 3-day period or if the patient becomes symptomatic, emergent surgical consultation had to be obtained.2

Before the era of DBE, X-ray photographs of the daily, has been recommended to ensure the safe passage of the FB in the small intestine. The rationale of "spontaneous passage" as a reason for the performance of daily radiographs mentioned in other reports likely accounts for the inability in the past to access conventional endoscopy. Therefore, enteroscopic removal may be justified in cases of sharp FBs in the small bowel.

Accurate assessment of the patient's clinical status is an essential prerequisite for conservative management of a sharp FB in the small bowel. If there is considerable concern in the assessment due to a developmental disorder such as autism, enteroscopic removal should be attempted when DBE is available for those cases of a sharp FB in the small bowel.

The DBE approach (oral versus anal) depends on the location of the ingested FB. CT is helpful for determining the location, as well as the size and shape, of a small bowel FB.8 In our case, the position of the screw nail was thought to be located 20 to 30 cm distal to Trietz ligament. It might have been successfully removed at this location using pediatric colonoscope. We decided to perform double balloon enteroscopy by fear for its more distal movement. That is because the endoscopic procedure or the physiologic peristalsis of small bowel might advance it toward the anal side.

Retrieval devices commonly used for a FB in the esophagus or stomach include rat-tooth and alligator forceps, polypectomy snares, baskets, and nets. Selection of these devices depends on the shape of the FB. For example, a net is most appropriate for the retrieval of coins or disc batteries. In the case of a sharp-oriented FB, a polypectomy snare is useful clinically.7 DBE (EN-450T5) is equipped with a 2.8-mm forceps channel that allows the use of almost all general therapeutic accessories. In the present case, the screw nail was easily captured by the polypectomy snare because of the spiral grooves present in the sharp-pointed portion.

When we remove a sharp-point object using snare, it might be safer to direct the sharp portion toward the oral side. However, we had a difficulty in facing its sharp portion toward the oral side. We carefully removed the nail by capturing its helical ridge being toward anal side. Fortunately, any complications such as laceration or perforation were not occurred.

In conclusion, this case adds to the growing body of evidence for the value of therapeutic DBE for removal of ingested FB in the small bowel.

Conflicts of Interest: The authors have no financial conflicts of interest.

REFERENCES

1. Anderson KL, Dean AJ. Foreign bodies in the gastrointestinal tract and anorectal emergencies. Emerg Med Clin North Am 2011;29:369–400. ix.Article PubMed
2. Webb WA. Management of foreign bodies of the upper gastrointestinal tract: update. Gastrointest Endosc 1995;41:39–51.Article PubMed
3. Rondonotti E, Sunada K, Yano T, Paggi S, Yamamoto H. Double-balloon endoscopy in clinical practice: where are we now? Dig Endosc 2012;24:209–219.Article PubMed
4. Sugano K, Yamamoto H, Kita H. Double-Balloon Endoscopy: Theory and Practice. Tokyo: Springer; 2006. p. 115.
5. Kato S, Kani K, Takabayashi H, Yamamoto R, Yakabi K. Double balloon enteroscopy to retrieve an accidentally swallowed dental reamer deep in the jejunum. World J Gastrointest Endosc 2011;3:78–80.Article PubMed PMC
6. Shibuya T, Osada T, Asaoka D, et al. Double-balloon endoscopy for treatment of long-term abdominal discomfort due to small bowel penetration by an eel bone. Med Sci Monit 2008;14:CS107–CS109.PubMed
7. Tang SJ. Endoscopic management of foreign bodies in the gastrointestinal tract. Video J Encycl GI Endosc 2013;1:35–38.Article
8. ASGE Standards of Practice Committee. Ikenberry SO, Jue TL, et al. Management of ingested foreign bodies and food impactions. Gastrointest Endosc 2011;73:1085–1091.Article PubMed

Fig. 1

Radiologic findings for an ingested sharp, pointed screw nail. (A) Abdominal simple radiography detected the presence of a sharp, pointed screw nail. (B) Abdominal computed tomography revealed a sharp, pointed screw nail in the proximal jejunum without evidence of small bowel perforation.

Fig. 2

Double-balloon enteroscopic findings of the ingested foreign body. (A) Double-balloon enteroscopy revealed a screw nail in the proximal jejunum without endoscopic evidence of perforation. (B) Endoscopic removal of the screw nail was attempted using a polypectomy snare. The screw nail in the jejunum was retrieved using a polypectomy snare.

Figure & Data

REFERENCES

Citations

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Successful Removal of a Screw Nail in the Jejunum Using Double-Balloon Enteroscopy

Clin Endosc. 2015;48(5):444-446. Published online September 30, 2015

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5946/ce.2015.48.5.444

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Figure

Successful Removal of a Screw Nail in the Jejunum Using Double-Balloon Enteroscopy

Fig. 1 Radiologic findings for an ingested sharp, pointed screw nail. (A) Abdominal simple radiography detected the presence of a sharp, pointed screw nail. (B) Abdominal computed tomography revealed a sharp, pointed screw nail in the proximal jejunum without evidence of small bowel perforation.

Fig. 2 Double-balloon enteroscopic findings of the ingested foreign body. (A) Double-balloon enteroscopy revealed a screw nail in the proximal jejunum without endoscopic evidence of perforation. (B) Endoscopic removal of the screw nail was attempted using a polypectomy snare. The screw nail in the jejunum was retrieved using a polypectomy snare.

Fig. 1

Fig. 2

Successful Removal of a Screw Nail in the Jejunum Using Double-Balloon Enteroscopy