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The swallowed toothbrush: A radiographic clue of bulimia

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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

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital of Buffalo, 219 Bryant Street, 14222, Buffalo, New York, USA

    M. M. Riddlesberger Jr. M.D.

  2. Department of Pediatric Surgery, Children's Hospital of Buffalo, 219 Bryant Street, 14222, Buffalo, New York, USA

    P. L. Glick

  3. Department of Radiology, North Shore University Hospital, Cornell University Medical College, Manhasset, New York, USA

    H. L. Cohen

Authors
  1. M. M. Riddlesberger Jr. M.D.
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  2. H. L. Cohen
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  3. P. L. Glick
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Riddlesberger, M.M., Cohen, H.L. & Glick, P.L. The swallowed toothbrush: A radiographic clue of bulimia. Pediatr Radiol 21, 262–264 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02018618

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02018618

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