Radiological changes in pica.

Abstract

The significance of pica and geophagia as a public health problem is well known. The objective radiographic diagnosis of geophagia depends on the abnormal opacification of the bowel as an immediate manifestitation of the condition. The chance of detectability of geophagia is highest in the colon and can be improved by using low penetration films, particularly for smaller amounts of ingested clay. Other radiologic changes frequently associated with the prolonged practice of geophagic are an atonic pattern of the colon, secondary radiographic changes due to iron-deficiency anemia and bone-age retardation. The occurrences of intestinal obstruction due to pica in the presence of preexisting bowel stricture is demonstrated.

• Authors: K Vessal, H A Ronaghy, M Zarabi
• Journal: The American journal of clinical nutrition (Am J Clin Nutr) Vol. 28 Issue 10 Pg. 1095-8 (Oct 1975) ISSN: 0002-9165 [Print] United States
• PMID: 1180244 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Soil

Topics

• Anemia, Hypochromic (etiology)
• Bone Diseases, Developmental (etiology)
• Calculi (etiology)
• Child
• Colon (diagnostic imaging)
• Digestive System (diagnostic imaging)
• Evaluation Studies as Topic
• Humans
• Intestinal Diseases (diagnostic imaging, etiology)
• Intestinal Obstruction (etiology)
• Iran
• Pica (complications, diagnostic imaging)
• Radiography
• Soil (analysis)