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Case Reports
. 1991;21(4):262-4.
doi: 10.1007/BF02018618.

The swallowed toothbrush: a radiographic clue of bulimia

M M Riddlesberger Jr  1 , H L Cohen, P L Glick
Affiliations
Case Reports

The swallowed toothbrush: a radiographic clue of bulimia

M M Riddlesberger Jr et al. Pediatr Radiol. 1991.

Abstract

Swallowed toothbrushes were noted in the esophagus of one teenager and the stomach of two others with bulimia. The presence of a toothbrush in the lumen of the gastrointestinal tract should make the radiologist suspicious of bulimia/anorexia nervosa. A toothbrush shows a characteristic radiographic image with parallel rows of short metallic radiodensities due to the metallic plates that hold the bristles in place.

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References

    1. Psychosomatics. 1989 Spring;30(2):174-91 - PubMed
    1. Prim Care. 1987 Mar;14(1):177-201 - PubMed

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