Pediatr Emerg Med J.  2022 Dec;9(2):113-116. 10.22470/pemj.2022.00514.

Two cases of intestinal obstruction due to ingestion of water beads

• Kim YH
• Lee KS
• Ahn SM
• Lee KJ

• KMID: 2538073
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.22470/pemj.2022.00514

Abstract

Water beads are small, colorful toys that swell over the time in water. We report 2 cases of intestinal obstruction by unwitnessed ingestion of water beads. The diagnosis of each case was made by exploratory laparoscopy or comprehensive ultrasonography. The water beads were removed surgically in both cases. Since their ingestion can cause intestinal obstruction, water beads should not be allowed as toys for children.

Keyword

Child; Foreign Bodies; Intestinal Obstruction; Laparoscopy; Polymers; Ultrasonography

Figure

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  Fig. 1. Imaging findings of case 1. (A) A plain radiograph shows the dilated small bowel, suggesting intestinal obstruction (day 1). (B) Sonographically, a 3 cm-sized, well-demarcated cystic mass (“CYSTIC MASS”) is located in the distal ileum in the right lower abdomen with the distal small bowel loop and the ascending colon (“ASC C”) collapsed (day 1). At the time of the sonography, the mass was presumed to be an intestinal duplication. (C) Dilated small bowel loops with transition zone (arrow) are shown on computed tomography scan (day 1). (D) Two slices of 1 water bead removed at the first exploratory laparoscopy (day 2).

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  Fig. 2. Imaging findings of case 2. (A) A plain radiograph shows multiple air-fluid levels (i.e., stepladder appearance), suggesting intestinal obstruction (day 1). (B) A comprehensive ultrasonogram shows a 2.6 cm-sized, well-demarcated suspicious hypoechoic mass in the dilated jejunum (day 1).

Reference

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