[Faline]

Swallowed objects:

Sometimes long slender objects such as pens, pencils, spoons and knives are used by bulimic patients. Because bulimics force themselves to vomit so much, they lose their gag reflex. As a result, their finger no longer does the trick of inducing vomiting. These patients sometimes become desperate and stick longer objects down their throat in hopes of throwing up. Sticking an object like this far enough down the throat can cause it to get stuck in the esophagus. This is a surgical emergency because the object can perforate the esophagus or stomach.



A quarter swallowed by a little kid:



Pica:
Pica is a psychological behavior in which the patients eat material that is not “food” or has no nutritional value. Pica can also occur during pregnancy. In some cases, a lack of certain nutrients, such as iron deficiency anemia or a zinc deficiency, may trigger the unusual cravings. Pica may also occur in adults who crave a certain texture in their mouth. These patient’s are known for eating things such as hair, dirt, clay, glue, paint, sand, metal objects, etc. These items can not be digested and are at great risk for causing an obstruction such as a trichobezoar (hair ball) or a perforation.




Objects removed from the rectum. All PA’s have tales of rectal foreign bodies received over their careers. These specimens really need no explanation. Patients are unaware there is a powerful suction beyond a certain point of insertion into the rectum and these items can get stuck. Again, a surgical emergency.

Sexual devices are the most common items received from the rectum.



Other less common items that have been seen by PA’s over time include travel toothbrush holders, shaving cream cans, glass bottles, hair brushes, hair spray cans, Maglites and yes, a half eaten piece of fruit:


An intact broccoli floret that was obstructing a segment of the small bowel:


A more unusual foreign body specimen seen in American laboratories are cocaine pellets. This is for 2 reasons. This method of smuggling is less common in the US, but more importantly this has a low success rate. Consuming multiple cocaine pellets can cause instant death if only one explodes in the patients stomach. These pellets are usually made by stuffing condoms with cocaine. The patient then swallows them to smuggle the drugs in and out of the country. The theory is that these pellets will be defecated and the cocaine can then be transported and sold. This rarely goes according to plan.


Breast implants are a common foreign body received to pathology. These can be removed for multiple reasons including rupture, infection or replacement for a bigger size. Below is an example of a ruptured implant next to an intact implant. A ruptured silicone implant can cause mega problems for a patient including severe calcification of the breast and disfigurement This can eventually require a mastectomy.


Teeth. We get lots of teeth for multiple reasons including wisdom teeth extraction, abscess, tumor, accidents, cavities, meth mouth, etc. Most of the time teeth are for gross examination only. The teeth can be intact or broken, normal or carious (with cavities). The number of teeth and what teeth are present are described.


Anything put in a patient and taken out of a patient can be sent to pathology. Here are a couple more things received including IUD’s (interuterine devices) for birth control and endoscopic “pill” cameras:

[kellyhound]

[Viking64]

I don't appreciate my x-rays being put on display here without my permission.

[Rusty666]

[LadyCPlum]

Could've gone well without the shit covered condom and dildo picture.

[GlassToTheArson]

All that poo on the rubber!

[McLovin510]

I heard about the broken off veggie stuck in the cooter. She didn't go to the Dr.'s until it had spoiled a bit.

[HeadlessHorseman]

What is the point of a condom on a dildo?

[xthabeast]

Originally Posted by HeadlessHorseman ↗

What is the point of a condom on a dildo?

Easy cleaning, duhh. lol

[pieandsauce]

what no bananas??? im amazed