Rectal foreign body
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Rectal foreign bodies are in general, large foreign items found in the rectum that can be assumed to have been inserted through the anus, rather than reaching the rectum via the mouth. Smaller, ingested foreign bodies, such as bones eaten with food, can sometimes be found stuck in the rectum upon x-ray.
Rectal foreign bodies, and amateur attempts to remove them, can result in perforation of the bowel, which is a life-threatening medical emergency. Medical literature covers examples of items retrieved from patients' rectums. Rectal foreign objects are also the subject of a number of urban legends.
X Ray Examples
-
Rectal foreign body (Image courtesy of Dr Frank Gaillard)
-
Rectal foreign body (Image courtesy of Dr Frank Gaillard)
-
Rectal foreign body. Body packer. (Image courtesy of Dr Frank Gaillard)
-
Rectal foreign body (Image courtesy of Dr Frank Gaillard)
-
Rectal foreign body (Image courtesy of Dr Frank Gaillard)
-
Rectal foreign body (Image courtesy of Dr Frank Gaillard)