SONOGRAPHIC DIAGNOSIS OF GASTRIC-OUTLET FOREIGN BODY: CASE REPORT AND REVIEW OF LITERATURE

The diagnosis of unsuspected foreign body ingestion is a common problem in children. We describe a toddler who presented with persistent vomiting and dehydration. A plain radiograph of the abdomen did not reveal a foreign body. However, abdominal ultrasonography promptly identified a funnel-shaped foreign body obstructing the gastric outlet. This was extracted by upper endoscopy. A recent review of the literature shows increasing evidence that abdominal ultrasonography is an equally complementary diagnostic modality for ingested foreign bodies in children.