Medical Oddities: A fowl cause of urinary obstruction
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By
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Teraya Smith
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September 10, 2026
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5 min
Clinical Report: A fowl cause of urinary obstruction
Overview
This case study details an 89-year-old woman who developed urinary obstruction due to a chicken bone lodged in her diverticular sigmoid colon. She presented with lethargy, poor oral intake, and confusion after outpatient antibiotics failed. Blood cultures grew Klebsiella pneumoniae, and urine cultures grew Enterococcus faecium. CT imaging revealed the chicken bone had pierced the bowel wall and compressed the distal left ureter. An antegrade nephroureteric stent was placed, successfully relieving the obstruction.
Background
Urinary obstruction can lead to severe complications, including hydronephrosis and recurrent infections, particularly in elderly patients. Identifying the underlying cause is critical for effective management.
Data Highlights
No numerical data or trial data presented in the article.
Key Findings
- An 89-year-old woman presented with urinary obstruction due to a chicken bone.
- She had a history of chronic left-sided hydronephrosis and recurrent urinary tract infections.
- Initial antibiotic treatment was ineffective, leading to a deterioration in her condition.
- CT imaging revealed the chicken bone had pierced the bowel wall and compressed the distal left ureter.
- An antegrade nephroureteric stent was placed, successfully relieving the obstruction.
- The patient was discharged with regular stent exchanges after antibiotic treatment was stopped.
Clinical Implications
This case highlights the importance of thorough investigation in patients with recurrent urinary tract infections and hydronephrosis.
Conclusion
The case of the chicken bone causing urinary obstruction illustrates an unusual cause of urinary obstruction.
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- Patient-reported outcome measures of percutaneous nephrostomy vs JJ stent in obstructive urolithiasis: results of the STent Or NEphrostomy (STONE) randomised controlled trial - PubMed
- Ingested chicken bone causing unilateral hydroureteronephrosis and recurrent sepsis - PMC
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Based on findings from:
Medical Oddities: A fowl cause of urinary obstruction
Teraya Smith. MDSpire News, 2026.
https://news.mdspire.com/surgery/articles/medical-oddities-a-fowl-cause-of-urinary-obstruction/
This content is an AI-generated, fully rewritten summary based on a published scholarly article. It does not reproduce the original text and is not a substitute for the original publication. Readers are encouraged to consult the source for full context, data, and methodology.
