Foreign bodies in the digestive tract

[Tanya Shivari]

Foreign bodies are ingested objects that can get stuck in the digestive tract and sometimes perforate (pierce) it.

Foreign bodies may be accidentally or intentionally swallowed.
Foreign bodies may cause no symptoms or may cause symptoms depending on where they become stuck.
The diagnosis may be based on a combination of x-rays, endoscopy, or sometimes computed tomography.
Most foreign bodies pass without treatment, but some need to be removed endoscopically, surgically, or manually.

Foreign bodies can get stuck in various parts of the digestive tract such as the

Esophagus (most common)
Stomach
Intestine
Rectum

Foreign bodies may be accidentally swallowed. Children may swallow small, round foods (such as grapes, peanuts, or candies), which may become stuck. In addition, curious infants and toddlers often accidentally swallow a wide variety of inedible objects (such as coins and disk or button batteries), some of which become stuck in the esophagus. People who wear dentures, older people, and intoxicated adults are at risk of accidentally swallowing inadequately chewed food (particularly meat such as steak or hot dogs), which may become stuck in the esophagus.
Sometimes foreign bodies are swallowed purposely, as when smugglers (body packers) or body stuffers swallow balloons, packages, or vials filled with illegal drugs to evade detection. Prison inmates and people who have mental health disorders may also purposely and repeatedly swallow foreign bodies.
If undigestible objects are small, they pass through the digestive system until they are passed with stool. However, larger objects or sharp ones, such as toothpicks and chicken or fish bones, may get stuck in the esophagus or stomach or at areas of the intestine that have sharp turns or are naturally narrow or narrowed by disease, a previous surgery, tumors, or abnormal structures. Objects that pass all the way through the intestines may still become stuck in the rectum.
Foreign bodies may be inserted in the rectum intentionally (such as during sexual play) but may become stuck unintentionally (see also Foreign Objects in the Rectum).