Pain from a Bullet Lingers on: An Uncommon Case of Lead Toxicity
Lead toxicity from a retained bullet as a cause for abdominal pain is rarely considered. Given its unpredictable latent period and nonspecific clinical symptoms, such cases are difficult to diagnose but may be fatal if unrecognized. We present the case of a 48-year-old man who presented with complai...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Karger Publishers
2012-05-01
|
| Series: | Case Reports in Gastroenterology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.karger.com/Article/FullText/338843 |
| _version_ | 1818465900118933504 |
|---|---|
| author | Albin Abraham Jaspreet Singh Paul Mustacchia Kaleem Rizvon |
| author_facet | Albin Abraham Jaspreet Singh Paul Mustacchia Kaleem Rizvon |
| author_sort | Albin Abraham |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Lead toxicity from a retained bullet as a cause for abdominal pain is rarely considered. Given its unpredictable latent period and nonspecific clinical symptoms, such cases are difficult to diagnose but may be fatal if unrecognized. We present the case of a 48-year-old man who presented with complaints of abdominal pain, weight loss and constipation. His past history was significant for a gunshot wound to the left hip about 20 years before. Radiographic studies confirmed the same with the presence of numerous intra-articular bullet fragments and a calcified hemarthrosis surrounding the left femoral head. Blood lead levels were elevated following which the patient was started on chelation therapy with succimer which resulted in symptomatic improvement. The aim of this paper is to highlight the importance of considering lead toxicity from a retained bullet as a cause of abdominal pain and to review the relevant literature. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-13T20:51:59Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-9408d2ebe3724778abe44381340d1a2b |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1662-0631 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-13T20:51:59Z |
| publishDate | 2012-05-01 |
| publisher | Karger Publishers |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Case Reports in Gastroenterology |
| spelling | doaj.art-9408d2ebe3724778abe44381340d1a2b2022-12-22T02:30:29ZengKarger PublishersCase Reports in Gastroenterology1662-06312012-05-016224324810.1159/000338843338843Pain from a Bullet Lingers on: An Uncommon Case of Lead ToxicityAlbin AbrahamJaspreet SinghPaul MustacchiaKaleem RizvonLead toxicity from a retained bullet as a cause for abdominal pain is rarely considered. Given its unpredictable latent period and nonspecific clinical symptoms, such cases are difficult to diagnose but may be fatal if unrecognized. We present the case of a 48-year-old man who presented with complaints of abdominal pain, weight loss and constipation. His past history was significant for a gunshot wound to the left hip about 20 years before. Radiographic studies confirmed the same with the presence of numerous intra-articular bullet fragments and a calcified hemarthrosis surrounding the left femoral head. Blood lead levels were elevated following which the patient was started on chelation therapy with succimer which resulted in symptomatic improvement. The aim of this paper is to highlight the importance of considering lead toxicity from a retained bullet as a cause of abdominal pain and to review the relevant literature.http://www.karger.com/Article/FullText/338843Lead toxicityIntra-articular bulletsAbdominal painChelation therapy |
| spellingShingle | Albin Abraham Jaspreet Singh Paul Mustacchia Kaleem Rizvon Pain from a Bullet Lingers on: An Uncommon Case of Lead Toxicity Case Reports in Gastroenterology Lead toxicity Intra-articular bullets Abdominal pain Chelation therapy |
| title | Pain from a Bullet Lingers on: An Uncommon Case of Lead Toxicity |
| title_full | Pain from a Bullet Lingers on: An Uncommon Case of Lead Toxicity |
| title_fullStr | Pain from a Bullet Lingers on: An Uncommon Case of Lead Toxicity |
| title_full_unstemmed | Pain from a Bullet Lingers on: An Uncommon Case of Lead Toxicity |
| title_short | Pain from a Bullet Lingers on: An Uncommon Case of Lead Toxicity |
| title_sort | pain from a bullet lingers on an uncommon case of lead toxicity |
| topic | Lead toxicity Intra-articular bullets Abdominal pain Chelation therapy |
| url | http://www.karger.com/Article/FullText/338843 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT albinabraham painfromabulletlingersonanuncommoncaseofleadtoxicity AT jaspreetsingh painfromabulletlingersonanuncommoncaseofleadtoxicity AT paulmustacchia painfromabulletlingersonanuncommoncaseofleadtoxicity AT kaleemrizvon painfromabulletlingersonanuncommoncaseofleadtoxicity |