1988 Volume 30 Issue 5 Pages 973-978_1
A rare case of gastro-duodenal fistula caused by a swallowed hairpin is reported. A 45-year-woman visited our hospital with a complaint of epigastric discomfort unrelated to meals. Barium X-rays on the stomach revealed a hairpin of which the tip penetrated the lesser curvarture and reached into the duodenal bulb. Although the hairpin was not found on UGI endoscopy performed 3 days after the barium X-rays, a small ulceration covered with a white coat was observed at the penetrated site in the antrum and the mucosa around the ulceration was edematous. A catheter could be inserted endoscopically into the bottom of the ulceration and a contrast medium from the catheter demonstrated a gastroduodenal fistula. Thirteen days after the first barium X-rays, the hairpin was spontaneously discharged with bowel movement without any complications. Healing of the gastro-duodenal fistula was then confirmed by endoscopy A case of gastro-duodenal fistula caused by a swallowed hairpin has not been reported in the literature.
