A case of schizophrenia involving repeated swallowing of sewing needles over a seven-year period

Abstract

When the patient was 63 year old she presented after she had swallowed eight sewing needles and developed abdominal pain. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan and an X-ray examination showed a needle located outside of the 2nd portion of the duodenal wall. Urgent abdominal surgery was performed on the same day. The needle had penetrated the duodenal wall, and it was buried in the iliopsoas muscle. When the patient was 64 years old she swallowed two needles and was admitted to the hospital complaining of abdominal pain. Abdominal CT scan and an X-ray examination showed a needle in the subcutaneous tissue of the left abdominal wall ; the needle was removed under local anesthesia.
When the patient was 69 year old abdominal CT scan and an X-ray examination showed two needles in the pelvic cavity.
On laparotomy needles were removed without requiring a bowel resection. This patient requires careful follow-up as she may swallow a needle again.