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Case Reports
. 2022 Jun 1;61(11):1795-1798.
doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.8122-21. Epub 2021 Nov 13.

An Unbalanced Diet Limited to the Consumption of Boiled Vegetables Led to the Onset of Scurvy

Kenta Hayashino  1 , Yusuke Meguri  1 , Aya Komura  1 , Chisato Matsubara  1 , Yutarou Shiraishi  1 , Chikamasa Yoshida  1 , Kazuhiko Yamamoto  1 , Kenji Imajo  1
Affiliations
Case Reports

An Unbalanced Diet Limited to the Consumption of Boiled Vegetables Led to the Onset of Scurvy

Kenta Hayashino et al. Intern Med. .

Abstract

Scurvy is a rare disease caused by a vitamin C deficiency. Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin found in vegetables and fruits, but it is lost after boiling. A 59-year-old man presented with gingival pain after having a tooth extracted five years previously. Following the procedure, his diet comprised boiled vegetables to prevent pain. He then experienced bilateral lower leg pain, and computed tomography revealed intramuscular bleeding. His serum vitamin C level was below the detectable limit. His symptoms immediately improved with vitamin C administration. This case emphasized that consuming only boiled vegetables can lead to the onset of scurvy.

Keywords: boiled vegetables; scurvy; vitamin C deficiency.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors state that they have no Conflict of Interest (COI).

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Ecchymosis, and edema in his both lower legs.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
CT scan showed contrast media leaking in the bilateral biceps femoris, tibialis anterior, and peroneal muscle.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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