Accidental Ingestion of a Grill Brush Wire Resulting in Death. Issue 2 (June 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jacob, Marisa; Nashelsky, Marcus B.; Dailey, Morris O.
• Is Part Of: Academic forensic pathology. Volume 4:Issue 2(2014)
• Page Start: 240
• Page End: 243
• Publication Date: 2014-06
• Subjects: Forensic pathology -- Foreign body -- Ingestion -- Gastrointestinal tract -- Wire bristle -- Grill brush; Forensic pathology -- Periodicals; Forensic pathology; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 614.1
• DOI: 10.23907/2014.037
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1925-3621

Abstract

Accidental ingestion of a foreign body is a rare occurrence in the unimpaired adult. The usual patient is aware of the ingestion event and seeks medical attention if needed. We report a case of accidental, unrecognized, fatal ingestion of a foreign body discovered during a postmortem examination. In situ examination revealed a small perforation of the terminal ileum by a perforating metal wire. Fibrinopurulent peritonitis was the immediate cause of death. The foreign body was later found to closely resemble the wire bristles of a barbeque grill brush that family members brought to a family/clinician/pathologist conference. There are few previous case reports of ingestion of a grill brush wire, all of which were nonfatal. Health care workers, including pathologists, should be aware of this potential ingestible foreign body given the widespread use of barbeque grills in food preparation. Additionally, manufacturers and users of grill brushes should be well aware of this ingestion hazard.