Posted on 11/22/2001 10:41:27 PM PST by L.N. Smithee
Thursday November 22 10:44 AM ET
By Charnicia E. Huggins
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - The first case of brain abscess following tongue piercing has been identified in a 22-year-old female, according to two Yale researchers.
``Since tongue piercing appears to be becoming increasingly popular...we feel it is important for physicians, the public and those performing the piercings to be aware of the potential complications,'' Dr. Richard A. Martinello of Yale University School of Medicine in New Haven, Connecticut, told Reuters Health.
``However, since this is the only case reported in the medical literature, the frequency of this particular complication is likely very low,'' he added.
In this case, the patient reported tongue swelling and pus drainage around the piercing site about 2 to 3 days after having her tongue pierced. She initially tolerated the symptoms, but pulled the stud out within 1 or 2 days, after which her symptoms improved, according to Martinello and colleague Dr. Elizabeth Cooney.
Four weeks later, however, the patient began experiencing headaches, fever, nausea, vomiting and dizziness and was also increasingly wobbly while walking, the report indicates. She had a history of drug use, but denied using drugs during the previous 5 months and was HIV (news - web sites) negative.
An MRI brain imaging scan revealed an abscess in the patient's brain, and she subsequently underwent surgery to drain the abscess. Upon examination of the drained fluid, the researchers found that it was contaminated with Streptococcus viridans and other normal mouth bacteria typically found in plaque, Martinello said.
The patient consequently received 6 weeks of antibiotic therapy and fully recovered.
In light of both the onset of symptoms following the removal of the tongue jewelry and the types of bacteria identified in the drained fluid, the brain abscess most likely resulted from the tongue piercing, according to Martinello and Cooney.
What's more, the relatively few reports of infection following tongue piercing may be due to reporting bias, rather than a true lack of incidents, the researchers speculate. Other reports of infection include a chest abscess and a heart infection.
``As the popularity of body art grows, frequency and spectrum of piercing site infections may increase,'' the investigators conclude.
``I think it is very important that people be aware that if they do experience any significant pain, swelling, fever or drainage from the piercing site, they (should) see their physician to have the area assessed for an infection,'' Martinello added.
The findings were presented recently in San Francisco, California, during the 39th annual meeting of the Infectious Diseases Society of America.
The 90s are over, kids.
Okay. Explain WHY you disfigured and mutilated your body. We can then read and consider your reasoning, and decide if you, too have suffered from brain damage.
Picture Dr. Ruth in a jewelry shop... {8-O
I think you are correct.
A person who willingly puts unneeded holes in their body, needs some help.
I didn't mean to use such a wide paintbrush with my statement. It was just a general release of steam coming from seeing so many of my friends all doing it en masse over the last few years like a bunch of lemmings.
In fact, the co-worker with a nose ring reminds me of cattle in more ways than one.
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