title: Lead intoxication from a pellet entrapped in the appendix of a child: treatment considerations.
abstract: A 4-year-old boy with symptoms of lead intoxication and confirmatory serum lead levels was eventually found to have a pellet lodged in his appendix. Because laxatives and cathartics did not dislodge the pellet, appendectomy was performed. Arguments for and against this decision are explored.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Tennessee Graduate Medical Center, Knoxville.
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Lyons
authors.forename: H C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Filston
mesh_terms: D001065:Appendix; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D007854:Lead / Q000097:blood; D007855:Lead Poisoning / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male
chemical_list: D007854:Lead