Abstract
An 82-year-old woman was seen at the hospital because of left lower abdominal pain. An abdominal CT scan showed a high density foreign body in the sigmoid colon, free air, and retention of ascites. Perforation of the sigmoid colon due to a foreign body was diagnosed and emergency laparotomy was performed because she presented peritoneal sign. A 5mm-sized perforation was identified in the sigmoid colon and a foreign body was felt just under the perforated site. The removal of the foreign body was performed, followed by partial excision of sigmoid colon and colostomy. The removed material disclosed the presence of diverticulum at a portion where continued to the perforated site. And a patient interview conducted after the operation clarified that she had eaten a persimmon including seeds. Perforation of the diverticulum of the sigmoid colon due to an ingested seed of persimmon was finally diagnosed.
So far only two cases of gastrointestinal perforation due to an ingested seed of persimmon have been reported in Japan. This extremely rare case is presented here, together with a review of the literature.
