Intestinal Obstruction Due to Ingested Olive Pits

Intestinal obstruction after ingestion of foreign bodies is a rare condition. A wide variety of ingested foreign bodies has been reported as a cause of mechanical small bowel obstruction, with ingested fruit pits being rarely reported as causes of intestinal obstruction. Here, we report the case of a 70-year-old female diagnosed with intestinal obstruction due to swallowed olive pits tightly impacted in the distal ileum. A conclusive diagnosis was made preoperatively by computed tomography of the abdomen. After initial conservative treatment, the patient underwent laparotomy because of persistent obstruction. The ingested pits were removed through an enterotomy and the obstruction was successfully resolved.