Unusual case of intentional ingestion of foreign body in patient with mental retardation

Abstract

Introduction: In developing countries the problem of foreign bodies in Otorhinolaryngology Services (ENT) is poorly studied. The foreign body is common in children but may occur in adults with mental disorders or in prisoners. Objective: To describe the case of a patient with psychiatric problems who ingested a metallic object. Psychiatric observation was requested that diagnosed an "anxiety crisis" after family conflict. Results: Esophagoscopy was performed for uncomplicated extraction. Discussion: Voluntary (intentional) ingestion of objects occurs in patients with psychiatric disorders, especially schizophrenia, mental retardation or in the inmate population. However, the ingestion of a large foreign body is related to parasuicidal behaviour. Conclusions: Always suspect the presence of a foreign body in patients with psychiatric disorders with odynophagia in the absence of pharyngotonsillitis.

Diagnosis, treatment, and management of esophageal foreign bodies in patients with mental retardation: A retrospective study from three centers

“…[ 14 ] Therefore, in the presence of sudden severe dysphagia in such patients, it is necessary to consider EFB ingestion and to take a detailed anamnesis that allows us to reach the diagnosis. [ 15 ] Dysphagia and hypersalivation were the most common symptoms in our patients, all of whom were symptomatic. However, due to the limited ability of this patient group to communicate like individuals without disabilities, some of them were hospitalized a day after the potential ingestion of the foreign body.…”

Achados de imagem na ingestão de corpos estranhos atípicos em adulto

“…As pessoas podem ingerir todos os tipos de objetos, e uma vez procurando o pronto atendimento são classificados como pacientes com ingestão voluntária (intencional) ou ingestão acidental. A ingestão acidental é comum em crianças, enquanto a ingestão voluntária ou intencional é rara e ocorre principalmente em adultos (prisioneiros e pacientes com retardo mental) 2 . Por isso, a ingestão de CE é um evento relativamente comum nas emergências, mas raramente causam complicações graves.…”