Recurrent gastric metal bezoar: a rare cause of gastric outlet obstruction

BMJ Case Rep. 2017 Sep 27:2017:bcr2017221928. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2017-221928.

Abstract

A 52-year-old male patient with psychiatric medical history who presented to the emergency department five times during a period of 5 years due to gastric outlet obstruction manifested mainly by abdominal pain, vomiting and haematemesis after intentionally ingesting metals and which necessitate several surgical interventions. Lately, he presented with generalised peritonitis due to gastric perforation from metal bezoars. Chronic abdominal symptoms in patient having a psychiatric disorder can be due to foreign body ingestion. Treatment is often surgical and the whole digestive tract should be explored to avoid retained bezoars.

Keywords: eating disorders; emergency medicine; gastrointestinal surgery; stomach and duodenum.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Abdominal Pain / etiology
  • Bezoars / complications
  • Bezoars / diagnosis*
  • Bezoars / diagnostic imaging
  • Bezoars / surgery
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Gastric Outlet Obstruction / diagnosis*
  • Gastric Outlet Obstruction / diagnostic imaging
  • Gastric Outlet Obstruction / etiology
  • Gastric Outlet Obstruction / surgery
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Psychotic Disorders*
  • Recurrence
  • Stomach*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed