Unusual foreign body in the digestive tract: Endoscopic removal of a toothbrush in a pediatric patient

Foreign body ingestion in pediatrics is one of the most frequent emergencies. To date, the first reported case of toothbrush ingestion was in 1882. Patients with mental illnesses or eating disorders are the most prone to ingesting unusual objects. While endoscopy is a safe and effective technique for foreign body removal, in some cases, it is not the first option. A 13-year-old patient was admitted to the emergency department with mild abdominal pain and nausea without vomiting after ingesting a toothbrush 3 hours prior to admission. An abdominal X-ray (upright and lateral views) was performed, revealing a radiopaque image below the left costal margin, apparently located in the stomach, consistent with the toothbrush bristles. An upper gastrointestinal endoscopy was performed, revealing a toothbrush handle in the lower third of the esophagus, extending into the gastric body, with the toothbrush head embedded in the gastric mucosa. Toothbrush ingestion is rare, and spontaneous passage through the gastrointestinal tract is exceedingly unlikely or not expected. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy is safe and effective for removing foreign bodies lodged in the upper gastrointestinal tract, and early intervention can prevent complications.