Work

Intentional ingestion of plaster for suicide: A case report and literature review

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Bezoars are indigestible masses in the gastrointestinal tract, classified by their composition. Plaster ingestion is a rare and often suicidal act. Plaster hardens in the stomach, risking obstruction or perforation. This case highlights the clinical challenges associated with managing plaster-induced bezoars and underscores the importance of prompt surgical and psychiatric intervention in such rare presentations. A 47-year-old man with a history of depression and daily methadone use presented to the emergency department with epigastric pain, nausea, and vomiting 48 h after ingesting a mixture of plaster and water in a suicide attempt. Abdominal radiography revealed a large, radiopaque gastric mass. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy confirmed a solidified plaster bezoar causing mucosal injury. An emergency gastrotomy was performed, successfully removing a 20 × 15 × 20 cm plaster cast from the stomach. Plaster ingestion, though rare, can cause gastric outlet obstruction due to rapid hardening. Radiopaque masses on imaging. Early cases may respond to gastric irrigation or endoscopic management; however, delayed presentations typically require surgical intervention. Plaster ingestion is a rare but life-threatening cause of gastric bezoar that often necessitates surgical intervention in delayed cases. This case emphasizes urgent management, psychiatric follow-up, and awareness of complications to improve outcomes in such uncommon presentations. Early recognition and intervention are critical to prevent severe consequences. • Ingestion of plaster can result in the rapid formation of a hardened gastric bezoar, particularly when mixed with water, which may necessitate surgical intervention. • Plain abdominal radiographs are a valuable initial diagnostic tool in suspected cases of foreign body ingestion involving radiopaque materials such as calcium sulfate hemihydrate (plaster). • The time interval between ingestion and hospital presentation is a critical factor in determining the treatment approach: early presentations may allow for non-invasive management such as gastric lavage, whereas delayed cases often require surgery. • Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy plays a key role in assessing mucosal injury and evaluating the feasibility of endoscopic removal of the bezoar.

Source: International Journal of Surgery Case Reports

DOI: 10.1016/j.ijscr.2025.112071

Authors: Ramin Bozorgmehr, Fatemeh Eghbal, Mina Fattah Hesari, Mahdie Kalhor

Institutions: Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences

Language: English

Topic: Foreign Body Medical Cases

Subfield: Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Imaging

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,090