Melissa B. Miller, PhD

A 15-year-old boy presented with a “string” protruding about 5 cm from his anus. He had had abdominal cramping that morning, prompting a bowel movement. After the stool, he passed a meter-long object that broke into the toilet. He attempted to remove the remaining “string,” but pulling on it induced left lower quadrant abdominal pain. He denied purposefully ingesting nonfood objects, choking, or chewing anything unusual. He also denied inserting anything or having anything inserted into his anus. He was otherwise healthy and had no significant medical or family history.