Retained foreign body: associations with elevated lead levels, pica, and duodenal anomaly.
A 14-month-old girl presented with elevated lead levels and a metallic foreign body was detected on abdominal radiograph. Subsequent evaluation, performed after the child failed to pass the foreign body with cathartics, revealed a bezoar proximal to a partial duodenal obstruction. The metallic foreign body was later removed and found to contain lead, however, the patient has subsequently had recurrent elevations of lead levels with episodes of pica. This case reiterates the need to evaluate children with retained foreign bodies for lead poisoning due to associated pica. In addition, retained foreign bodies should point to possible congenital anomaly of the duodenum causing partial obstruction.
Department of Radiology, Medical College of Virginia/Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, USA.
J D
JD
Sprinkle
E A
EA
Hingsbergen
D004240:Diverticulum / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D004378:Duodenal Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D004380:Duodenal Obstruction / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D004386:Duodenum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007854:Lead / Q000097:blood*; D010842:Pica / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011859:Radiography
D007854:Lead