Pneumatosis Intestinalis Caused by an Ingested Denture

A 60-year-old woman, bedridden in a nursing home because of multisystem atrophy, developed aspiration pneumonia. Coarse crackles were observed in the lung fields, her abdomen was slightly distended, and the bowel sounds were diminished. An abdominal X-ray showed a possible foreign body (arrow head) and pneumatosis intestinalis (arrows) in the ascending colon (Picture A). Computed tomography confirmed the presence of a foreign body and marked accumulation of air in the subserosal layer, consistent with pneumatosis (Picture B). Because of her general condition, she was conservatively managed. Several days later, her pneumatosis spontaneously improved, but the foreign body had moved down to the cecum. Endoscopy revealed that the foreign body was covered with food debris and was stuck in the appendix (Picture C). The foreign body turned out to be a denture (Picture D) which was successfully retrieved. Pneumatosis intestinalis associated with an ingested foreign body is rare. In this particular patient, the pneumatosis appeared to have been caused by traumatic mucosal damage because of an ingested denture (1). Medical problems associated with an ingested denture may increase and become relevant in the era of an aging society.