Clinical Characteristics and Endoscopic Management of Urogenital Foreign Bodies in Children: A Single-Center Retrospective Study

Abstract

Objective:

This study aimed to review the clinical presentation, types, and diagnostic methods of pediatric urogenital foreign bodies (UGFBs) and to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of endoscopic techniques as the primary treatment approach.

Methods:

A retrospective review was conducted of pediatric patients with UGFBs admitted to our center between August 2015 and February 2025. Clinical data—including age, sex, presenting symptoms, foreign body location, symptom duration, imaging findings, and treatment modalities—were collected and analyzed using descriptive and comparative statistics.

Results:

A total of 42 pediatric patients with UGFBs were included, comprising 19 males (45.2%) and 23 females (54.8%). The patients ranged in age from 1.5 to 14 years, with a median age of 6.8 years (interquartile range [IQR], 4.7–11.6). The most common clinical manifestations included vaginal discharge (23.8%), vaginal bleeding (16.7%), genital pain (16.7%), and voiding difficulty (14.3%). Symptom duration ranged from 0.21 to 365 days, with a median of 4 days (IQR, 0.5–18.8). Ultrasound was the most commonly used imaging modality (47.6%), followed by plain X-ray (33.3%) and computed tomography (19.0%). UGFBs were located in the vagina (47.6%), urethra (31.0%), and bladder (19.0%). Common foreign body types included sewing needles, cotton fibers, magnetic beads, hair clips, and button batteries. Cystoscopic removal was the primary treatment modality, performed in 28 patients (66.7%). Open surgery was required in seven cases (16.7%), whereas a combined cystoscopic and open approach was used in two cases (4.8%). All patients were followed for 3 to 6 months postoperatively. No cases of residual UGFBs, urethrovaginal or vesicovaginal fistulas, or urethral strictures were observed.

Conclusion:

Although pediatric UGFBs are relatively uncommon, they present with varied clinical symptoms and require a high index of suspicion for timely diagnosis. Ultrasound remains a valuable first-line imaging tool, and endoscopic removal is safe and effective as the primary treatment modality in most cases.