Chronic insertion of foreign bodies into the mature breast

Abstract

A large assortment of foreign bodies have been introduced into all of the body apertures. This case is unique for two reasons: I) the insertion of sharp objects deep into breast tissur via the nipple; and 2) the chronicity of this aberrant behavior. This 2Oh year old white female was in good health until she developed encephalitis at 12 years of age. Following this illness, it was apparent that she had suffered permanent brain damage. Since that time, she has been treated by a psychiatrist. Three years prior to the present admission, she began puncturing her left nipple with sharp objects including needles, pins and tooth picks. She claimed that this activity alleviated her anxiety. The breast did not appear to be damaged by these self-inflicted injurites. Her psychiatrist was aware of this behavior, and was unable to convince her to stop. Two days prior to admission, she inserted a hair pm (bobh! pin) into the self made left nipple sinus tract, which penetrated the breast deeper than usual. She could not retrieve it. She was brought to the hospital, where x-rays of her breast (Fig. I) were performed. She had a low grade fever. and srro-sanquinous drainage was noted issuing from a sinus opening in her left nipple. There was slight erythema and induration of the lower outer quadrant of the left breast. This arca of her breast was tender. Tuo cultures of the nipple discharge were sterile. Through an inferior circumareolar incision, the well formed sinus tract was easily probed: it measured IO cm. The bobby pin was found deeply imbedded in the lrft axilla. The end of the tract was sealed.