Needle perforation of the appendix.

Background/aims: Needles are among the most frequently swallowed foreign bodies. In most cases they are excreted per vias naturales, but in some cases needles can lead to perforation of the stomach or duodenum in adults.

Methods: We report a case of acute appendicitis after perforation of the appendix by a swallowed needle. An appendectomy was performed without any knowledge of the reason for perforation.

Results: Inspection of the resected appendix demonstrated a needle of 1.5 cm length inside the lumen of the appendix, which had caused a perforation of the distal end of the appendix.

Conclusion: As seen in this case a longer-lasting nondiagnosed perforation can lead to extensive local inflammation which could have been avoided by early surgical treatment which should also be considered if the patient has very few symptoms, as in this case.