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Bulimia and oesophageal foreign bodies
A Sastry1, P D Karkos, S Leong
1Department of Otolaryngology, Warrington Hospital, UK.
The Journal of Laryngology and Otology
|April 29, 2008
Summary
A detailed patient history is crucial for identifying recurrent foreign body ingestion, often linked to eating disorders like bulimia nervosa. Early psychiatric referral ensures effective long-term management.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Foreign body ingestion is a common occurrence in otolaryngology practice.
- Recurrent foreign body ingestion can be associated with underlying psychiatric conditions.
Observation:
- A case of a 19-year-old woman with repeated accidental ingestion of foreign bodies (teaspoon, plastic spoon) is presented.
- The patient admitted to a history of binge-eating, self-induced vomiting, bulimia nervosa, and anorexia nervosa.
Findings:
- Detailed patient history revealed a pattern of foreign body ingestion linked to eating disorders.
- Prompt identification of bulimia nervosa in patients with recurrent foreign body ingestion is essential.
Implications:
- Recognizing the link between foreign body ingestion and eating disorders is vital for comprehensive patient care.
- Early psychiatric intervention is critical for the long-term management of patients with bulimia nervosa presenting with foreign body ingestion.
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