title: An unusual penpal: case report and literature review of posterior urethral injuries secondary to foreign body insertion.
abstract: We report the case of a 57-year-old male who attended the emergency department after inserting a ballpoint pen into his urethra 24 hours earlier during a sexual encounter. Rigid cystoscopy was performed and confirmed the foreign body to have caused a partial rupture of the posterior urethra. It was subsequently removed using a combination of graspers and stone retrieval baskets. Self insertion of foreign bodies into the urethra is often as a result of psychiatric disturbance, alcohol intoxication or as a means of sexual gratification. Posterior urethral injuries are more commonly associated with pelvic trauma and iatrogenic injuries. Injury secondary to self insertion of a foreign body is infrequently reported. Temporary insertion of a urethral catheter may be necessary. We reviewed the literature in relation to this unusual problem.
authors: Department of Urology, St. James's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
authors: J C
authors: JC
authors: Forde
authors: R G
authors: RG
authors: Casey
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Grainger
mesh_terms: D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016728:Self-Injurious Behavior / Q000150:complications*; D014521:Urethra / Q000293:injuries*