Genitourinary Foreign Bodies

Current Status
Not Enrolled
Price
Free
Get Started

Author: Sarah Edwards / Editor: Sandi Angus / Codes: / Published: 10/12/2025

This learning session discusses the management of genitourinary foreign bodies (GUFB) in the Emergency Department (ED).

Learning objectives

After completing this session, you will be able to:

  • Understand the clinical features of genitourinary foreign bodies (GUFB).
  • Consider the clinical management options of GUFBs.
  • Discuss additional considerations in the management of GUFBs including safeguarding and domestic violence.

References

  1. Rodrguez D, et al. Epidemiology of genitourinary foreign bodies in the United States emergency room setting and its association with mental health disorders. Int J Impot Res. 2020;32(4):42633.
  2. Bhasin S, Williams JG. Rectal foreign body removal: increasing incidence and cost to the NHS. Ann R Coll Surg Engl. 2021;103(10):7347.
  3. Bansal A, Yadav P, Kumar M, et al. Foreign bodies in the urinary bladder and their management: a single-centre experience from North India. Int Neurourol J. 2016;20(3):2609.
  4. Umans E, Boogaerts M, et al. Vaginal foreign body in the pediatric patient: a systematic review. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 2024;297:1538.
  5. Tee-Melegrito RA. Urethral sounding: risks, safety, precautions [Internet]. Medical News Today; 2022 [cited 2025 Jun 20].
  6. Cawich SO, Thomas D, Mohammed F, et al. A management algorithm for retained rectal foreign bodies. Am J Mens Health. 2017;11(3):68492.
  7. Cologne KG, Ault GT. Rectal foreign bodies: what is the current standard? Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2012;25(4):2148.
  8. General Medical Council. Intimate examinations and chaperones [Internet]. London: GMC; [cited 2025 Jun 20].
  9. Stricker T, Navratil F, Sennhauser FH. Vaginal foreign bodies. J Paediatr Child Health. 2004;40(4):2057.
  10. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Non-infective causes of vaginal discharge [Internet]. London: NICE; [cited 2025 Jun 20].
  11. Anderson J, Paterek E. Vaginal Foreign Body Evaluation and Treatment. [Updated 2023 May 8]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-.
  12. Panda S, Das A, Das R, et al. An unusual case of retained foreign body in the vagina with vaginal fibrosis. Cureus. 2022;14(6):e20956.
  13. Coskun A, et al. Management of rectal foreign bodies. World J Emerg Surg. 2013;8:11.
  14. Maddah G, et al. An uncommon problem: overcoming the challenges of rectal foreign bodiesa case series and literature review. Clin Case Rep. 2023;11(3):e8313.
  15. Guerrero DM, Sharma A. Chronic infectious complications of recreational urethral sounding with retained foreign body. Cureus. 2020;12(6):e9750.
  16. Gross IT, Riera A. Vaginal foreign bodies: the potential role of point-of-care ultrasound in the pediatric emergency department. Pediatr Emerg Care. 2017;33(11):7569.
  17. Nishiyama K, Horikawa S, Ono Y. A successful pediatric case of vaginal foreign body detection on transabdominal ultrasonography. Clin Case Rep. 2021;9(12):e05154.
  18. Frier J, Nicholas E, Klawitter P. Case report: using point-of-care ultrasound as a tool to identify a urethral foreign body. Clin Pract Cases Emerg Med. 2021;5(1):3942.
  19. Mori T, Ihara T, Nomura O. Detection of a urethral foreign body in a pediatric patient: another useful application of point-of-care ultrasound. J Emerg Med. 2021;61(1):e2631.
  20. Crawford SB, Lowry D, Watts SH. Evaluation and management of urethral foreign bodies and description of a novel ultrasound-guided catheter-based extraction technique. J Am Coll Emerg Physicians Open. 2021;2(1):e12398.
  21. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Urinary tract infection (lower): antimicrobial prescribing [Internet]. London: NICE; 2018 [cited 2025 Jun 20]. Available from: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng109
  22. Gupta R, Patidar B. Vaginal foreign body in a child: sexual abuse or sibling prank? Med J Dr DY Patil Vidyapeeth. 2019;12(2):157.
  23. Naidu K, Chung A, Mulcahy M. An unusual urethral foreign body. Int J Surg Case Rep. 2013;4(11):10524.
  24. Phelps BJ, Tiley YM, et al. Acute dysphagia caused by sarcomatoid squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus. Cureus. 2019;11(6):e4129.
  25. Closson FT, Lichenstein R. Vaginal foreign bodies and child sexual abuse: an important consideration. West J Emerg Med. 2013;14(5):4379.
  26. Vijfhuize S, Deden AC, Costerus SA, Sloots CEJ, Wijnen RMH. Minimal access surgery for repair of congenital diaphragmatic hernia: is it advantageous? An open review. Eur J Pediatr Surg. 2012;22(5):36473.
  27. Haronis G, Kozyrakis D, et al. Insertion of a Foreign Body Into the Urethra: A Report of a Rare Case. Cureus. 2025 Jan 30;17(1):e78272.
  28. Hong S, Kim HJ. Two young men who complained of voiding difficulty after stuffing odd materials into the urethra to obtain sexual gratification. Int Neurourol J. 2014;18(2):98100.
  29. Kurer MA, et al. Colorectal foreign bodies: a systematic review. Colorectal Dis. 2010;12(9):85161.
  30. Lucerna A. Foreign body insertions: a review. Emerg Med. 2017;49(4):3159.
  31. Kasotakis G, Roediger L, Mittal S. Rectal foreign bodies: a case report and review of the literature. Int J Surg Case Rep. 2012;3(3):1115.
  32. Rahman NU, Elliott SP, McAninch JW. Self-inflicted male urethral foreign body insertion: endoscopic management and complications. BJU Int. 2004;94(7):10513.

Leave a Reply