This 32 year old male psychiatric patient underwent surgery to remove 19 toothbrush, 4 wooden sticks, 2 pieces of metal, 2 pieces of plastic, 1 spoon and 1 piece of cloth. Thankfully, the patient is now stable and recovering. Most swallowed toothbrushes have been found in the esophagus or the stomach of affected patients, and there has been no previously reported case of a toothbrush in the colon. There has been a documented case of a swallowed toothbrush found in the ascending colon that caused a fistula between the right colon and the liver, with a complicating small hepatic abscess. That patient was also successfully managed using exploratory laparotomy. Although this behavior can be seen in other mental illnesses, it may be the first clue to the diagnosis of an eating disorder and is one of the easiest for the radiologist to recognize. Recognition of this finding and its immediate communication to the referring physician is important, because the management of ingested foreign bodies includes removal via endoscopy or laparotomy to avoid pressure necrosis or bowel perforation. Pica is another eating disorder that involves eating items that are not typically thought of as food and that do not contain significant nutritional value, such as hair, dirt, and paint chips. Between 4%-26% of institutionalized individuals are believed to have pica. Iron-deficiency anemia and malnutrition are two of the most common causes of pica, followed by pregnancy. In individuals with pica, this can be a sign that the body is trying to correct a significant nutrient deficiency. Treating this deficiency with medication or vitamins often resolves the problems. If you or a loved one are experiencing these conditions, go to the emergency room immediately to prevent any further complications. Stay safe and stay healthy everyone!
What psychiatric treatment was render to the patient? It is a eating disorder but there must be other mental/emotional distress at baseline level.