The Use of Point-Of-Care Ultrasound to Evaluate Acute Abdomen: A Case of Bowel Perforation After Unknown Single Magnet Ingestion

Abstract

A 3-year-old healthy male presented to the pediatric emergency department with worsening abdominal pain and vomiting. He had been seen earlier in the day for fever, vomiting, and abdominal pain. On exam, he had normal vital signs and soft abdomen with diffuse tenderness to palpation. Workup included labs consistent with dehydration (decreased Cl, elevated BUN/Cr ratio) and negative US for appendicitis and intussusception. He had decreased urine output, despite a NS bolus, which prompted a point-of-care US (POCUS) of the bladder that measured a total volume of 180 cm3. Bladder catheterization was performed, and his UA was unremarkable. Although he had improvement after anti-emetics and pain medication, the clinical team had persistent concerns about the underlying diagnosis. Due …