Medical Oddities: A fowl cause of urinary obstruction - Scorecard - MDSpire
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Medical Oddities: A fowl cause of urinary obstruction

A rogue chicken bone, stalled sweat, yoga for IBS, and L-theanine for sleep is break room fodder this week.

  • By

  • Teraya Smith

  • September 10, 2026

  • 5 min

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Clinical Scorecard: Medical Oddities: A fowl cause of urinary obstruction

At a Glance

CategoryDetail
ConditionUrinary obstruction due to foreign body
Key MechanismsChicken bone lodged in diverticular sigmoid colon compressing distal left ureter
Target PopulationOlder adults with recurrent urinary issues
Care SettingEmergency and interventional radiology

Key Highlights

  • 89-year-old woman with chronic hydronephrosis and recurrent UTIs
  • Blood cultures grew Klebsiella pneumoniae; urine cultures grew Enterococcus faecium
  • CT revealed chicken bone causing obstruction and renal parenchymal atrophy
  • Interventional radiology placed nephroureteric stent to relieve obstruction
  • Patient discharged with regular stent exchanges after successful management

Guideline-Based Recommendations

Diagnosis

  • Use imaging (CT) to identify foreign bodies causing urinary obstruction

Management

  • Initiate targeted intravenous antibiotics for infection
  • Consider interventional radiology for obstruction relief

Monitoring & Follow-up

  • Monitor inflammatory markers and renal function post-intervention

Risks

  • Potential for recurrent urinary tract infections and complications from foreign body

Patient & Prescribing Data

Older adults with urinary obstruction

Antibiotics may be necessary but should be followed by intervention for obstruction

Clinical Best Practices

  • Prompt imaging for patients with recurrent urinary issues
  • Consider foreign body ingestion in differential diagnosis for urinary obstruction
  • Regular follow-up for stent management in patients with urinary obstruction

Related Resources & Content

Original Source(s)

Medical Oddities: A fowl cause of urinary obstruction

  • by Teraya Smith

  • September 10, 2026

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