A 35-year-old man in China has undergone surgery after medical scans revealed a rusted sewing needle lodged dangerously close to his heart, alongside numerous other metal needles scattered throughout his lower body.
The patient initially sought medical assistance after suffering from blood in his urine and experiencing discomfort while urinating, according to a report by the New York Post. Despite the severe internal threat, the man appeared visually healthy upon arrival, and his vital signs were recorded within normal ranges.
Physicians only identified the underlying cause of his symptoms after performing a computed tomography scan. The imaging revealed a collection of needle-shaped metallic foreign objects embedded across his abdominal cavity, pelvis, urinary bladder, penis, and chest area.
Discovery of Rusted Needle Near Heart
The discovery of a 3.5-centimeter sewing needle located in close proximity to the cardiac tissue caused immediate alarm among treating surgeons. Surgical teams successfully extracted the item, noting that it had remained inside the patient's body long enough to develop visible rust.
Computed tomography, commonly known as a CT scan, utilizes specialized X-ray technology to construct detailed cross-sectional views of internal organs and soft tissue. In medical emergencies involving metallic foreign objects, CT imaging allows doctors to pinpoint precise locations near delicate structures like the heart, where sharp items carry high risks of organ perforation and internal infection.
Medical staff made the decision to leave the remaining needles inside the man's body for the time being. Doctors determined that attempting an immediate emergency extraction of all foreign objects would inflict excessive physical trauma on the patient, opting instead to monitor his condition and remove the objects gradually over time.
Medical Analysis and Psychiatric Context
The patient has pre-existing intellectual development challenges, according to medical reports. Physicians hypothesized that the man drove the needles under his skin himself, a behavior categorized as a form of deliberate self-harm that has been documented in psychiatric and surgical literature for decades.
The case was documented in detail within the peer-reviewed medical journal BMC Medicine, which publishes clinical research and complex case studies across global healthcare disciplines. Clinical studies on foreign body insertion indicate that such acts are often linked to cognitive impairments or severe psychological distress, requiring long-term psychiatric supervision alongside surgical management.
Previous Incidents Involving Medical Needles
The case follows a separate incident in Singapore, where an acupuncture practitioner faced a financial fine and a three-month professional suspension after leaving a needle inside a patient's buttock. In that instance, the client identified the remaining object himself and successfully removed it without further medical intervention.
Acupuncture is a traditional therapeutic practice involving the insertion of thin metallic needles into specific anatomical points to alleviate pain and stimulate physiological responses. While standard clinical protocols require strict needle counts during procedures, rare instances of retained instruments highlight the ongoing necessity of post-treatment patient monitoring.
