Sepsis due to kidney injury caused by a toothpick: a case report and literature review

BACKGROUND: Toothpicks are common foreign bodies which may injure surrounding organs leading to a series of atypical symptoms. We present a rare clinical case that septicemia caused by a toothpick penetrated into the right kidney. CASE PRESENTATION: We describe a 51-year-old patient who presented with right-sided backache and hematuresis for 2 days. Blood culture persistently grew Streptococcus gordonii. Ultrasound of the patient’s urinary tract revealed a strong striated echo in the middle of the right kidney. Complete abdominal computed tomography revealed a duodenal foreign body penetrating into the right kidney. The toothpick was removed under endoscopy and hemostasis was given. Antibiotic treatment was upgraded. The patient was recovered and discharged from his stay on the fifteenth day. CONCLUSIONS: Early identification of the etiology of sepsis can effectively alleviate patient’s distress and reduce hospital stay. Clinicians should identify the source of sepsis through a medical history and examination.