Chronic Appendicitis Caused by a Perforating Fish Bone: Case Report and Brief Literature Review

Abstract

Appendicitis caused by a foreign body is extremely rare. We report a case of chronic appendicitis caused by a perforating fish bone. The patient was a 50-year-old Japanese man. He felt dull lower abdominal pain for 2 months and diagnosed as appendicitis caused by a perforating fish bone. He underwent emergency laparoscopic surgery. The fish bone had perforated through the appendix wall. The fish bone was initially removed followed by laparoscopic appendectomy. Pathological investigation revealed a transmural cut line of approximately 0.5 mm that was surrounded by fibrous tissue with inflammation. This is the first reported case of fish bone-induced chronic appendicitis that underwent laparoscopic appendectomy. For optimum outcome, a correct diagnosis based on a detailed consultation and imaging tests, and an operation performed after careful planning are needed.