Medical mystery--the answer.

Abstract

To the Editor: The medical mystery in the January 1 issue1 involved a 62-year-old man who had a history of psychosis and who presented with an ileus. An abdominal radiograph revealed a ptotic gastric fundus filled with a very large, radiopaque density (Figure 1A). At laparotomy, the distended stomach was found to contain 5.5 kg of coins, necklaces, and needles (Figure 1B). A partial gastrectomy with Braun's anastomosis was performed because of pressure necrosis. Postoperative complications included septic shock and multiple-organ failure, which resulted in the patient's death on the 12th postoperative day. Close to 90 percent of ingested foreign . . .