Citation

Gunasingha RMK, Bozzay JD, Munoz B, Malone DL. BMJ Case Rep. 2021; 14(3): e237746.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2021, BMJ Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1136/bcr-2020-237746

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Accidental ingestion of a grill brush wire bristle is a rare event. Retrieval rarely requires surgical intervention as the wire typically causes symptoms above the gastro-oesophageal junction and can frequently be removed endoscopically. There are few reported cases of gastrointestinal injury due to ingestion of wire bristles lodging past the gastro-oesophageal junction in adults. We present four cases of wire brush bristle ingestion that required operative intervention. Our case series illustrates how the commonly used wire grill brush may cause a serious injury. This diagnosis should be considered in patients who present with abdominal pain, non-specific symptoms and normal labs, with liner radio-opaque imaging findings and a history of grill use. Education as to the dangers of grill wire brushes to clean grills should be provided commercially.

Language: en

Keywords

trauma; gastrointestinal surgery; general surgery