Self-mutilation: three cases and a review of the literature.
The self-mutilating patient is an unusual psychiatric presentation in the emergency department (ED). Nonetheless, serious underlying psychiatric pathology and drug abuse are important background risk factors. A careful stepwise approach in the ED is essential, although the prognosis, follow-up, and eventual rehabilitation are poor.
Birrer
R B
RB
Department of Emergency Medicine, Catholic Medical Center of Brooklyn & Queens, Inc., Jamaica, NY 11432.
Robinson
T
T
Rao
S
S
Leber
M
M
D000328:Adult; D004630:Emergencies; D005260:Female; D005383:Finger Injuries / Q000209:etiology; D005528:Foot; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010413:Penis / Q000293:injuries; D011379:Prognosis; D011859:Radiography; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000150:complications; D012652:Self Mutilation / Q000523:psychology*; D012737:Sex Factors; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders