title: Constrictive pericarditis due to ingestion of a toothpick.
abstract: A case of a 53-year-old man with constrictive pericarditis due to the ingestion of a toothpick is presented. Computed tomography was unable to show the toothpick, and the diagnosis was made during the operation. Ingested toothpicks have often been reported as a cause of gastrointestinal injuries but in this rare case a toothpick actually migrated into the pericardium.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiac Surgery, Gasthuisberg University Hospital, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: B P
authors.initials: BP
authors.lastname: Meyns
authors.forename: B C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Faveere
authors.forename: F J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Van de Werf
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Dotremont
authors.forename: W J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Daenen
mesh_terms: D002177:Candidiasis / Q000209:etiology*; D004322:Drainage / Q000379:methods; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010490:Pericardial Effusion / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D010491:Pericardial Window Techniques; D010492:Pericardiectomy; D010493:Pericarditis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000382:microbiology*; D010496:Pericardium