Transduodenal migration of a retained surgical swab causing small bowel obstruction - imaging findings in the acute setting and prior to onset of symptoms

Abstract

Transmural migration of a retained surgical sponge causing small bowel obstruction is a rare occurrence. We report a case which demonstrates both the associated foreign body reaction seen on computed tomography months in advance of the onset of symptoms and confirms the subsequent fistulous decompression into the duodenum on both computed tomography and barium meal studies. To the best of the author's knowledge, a retained surgical swab causing small bowel obstruction has not been previously described with imaging both pre and post transluminal decompression.