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CC BY 4.0 · Journal of Digestive Endoscopy 2025; 16(02): 091-093
DOI: 10.1055/s-0044-1792081
Case Report

Glass Half Empty or Half Full: Single-Session Endoscopic Removal of Multiple Glass Vials in the Upper Gastrointestinal Tract Using a Novel Approach

Raghav Bassi 
1   Internal Medicine Residency Program, Graduate Medical Education/HCA Florida North Florida Hospital, University of Central Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida, United States
,
Gabriel S. Silva
1   Internal Medicine Residency Program, Graduate Medical Education/HCA Florida North Florida Hospital, University of Central Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida, United States
2   Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, HCA Florida Aventura Hospital, Aventura, Florida, United States
,
Tony S. Brar
1   Internal Medicine Residency Program, Graduate Medical Education/HCA Florida North Florida Hospital, University of Central Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida, United States
3   Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, HCA Florida North Florida Hospital, Gainesville, Florida, United States
,
Yaseen Perbtani
1   Internal Medicine Residency Program, Graduate Medical Education/HCA Florida North Florida Hospital, University of Central Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida, United States
3   Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, HCA Florida North Florida Hospital, Gainesville, Florida, United States
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Abstract

Foreign body ingestion is a commonly encountered problem clinically with management targeted at early radiological imaging to identify high-risk features that can increase the risk of perforation. We present a 23-year-old patient with no known medical or psychiatric history who presented with epigastric tenderness after ingesting multiple glass vials. The initial workup consisted of a thorough physical examination and an abdominal X-ray which revealed multiple radiopaque densities in the stomach, with some extending to the duodenum and distal colon. She underwent an emergent upper endoscopy to retrieve those glass vials given the high risk of perforation and obstruction. During the procedure, various endoscopic retrieval devices were used, however, they were unsuccessful. A novel approach was then utilized by dilating a 15-mm extraction balloon inside the lumen of the glass vials and using a snare to pull the vials out individually. Twenty-seven 6 cm × 1 cm glass vials were safely removed in a single session. The patient tolerated the procedure well and reported a complete resolution of her symptoms the next day. This case highlights the importance of obtaining prompt imaging when managing foreign body ingestion and highlights a novel endoscopic approach in safely extracting multiple glass vials that were refractory to conventional endoscopic techniques.

Keywords

endoscopic foreign body removal - glass vials - extraction balloon - snare - ingestion of multiple foreign bodies

Copyright Statement

Submission of this manuscript implies that it represents original research not previously published and that it is not being considered for publication. The corresponding author declares that the manuscript is submitted on behalf of all authors.


Ethical Approval

An appropriate informed consent was obtained before the writing of this manuscript.


Patient's Consent

Appropriate informed consent was obtained for this case.




Publication History

Article published online:
21 November 2024

© 2024. The Author(s). This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, permitting unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction so long as the original work is properly cited. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

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