Giant peritoneal loose body : a case report and review of the literature

We present a case about a 53-year-old man who complained of abdominal pain and constipation. Computed tomography showed a well-described nodular structure of 6cm in size with a central dense core of 0.5cm with compression against the rectosigmoid. The presence of a foreign body was suggested and a diagnostic laparoscopy was performed. Surgery revealed a giant peritoneal loose body measuring 5.5cm in diameter. After the removal, the patient was relieved of his symptoms. Peritoneal loose bodies are usually small and asymptomatic. They are mostly found incidentally during laparotomy. Giant peritoneal loose bodies are a rare entity and diagnosis is difficult. A review of the literature is presented. (Acta gastroenterol. belg., 2019, 82, 441-443).