Iron Tablets or Gallstones? Iron Overdose in Situs Inversus |Biomedgrid

A 38 year-old male with a history of psychiatric illness and methamphetamine abuse presented to the emergency department (ED) reporting intentionally taking cyclobenzaprine, alprazolam, and iron tablets. He could not provide history regarding exact dosages or time of ingestion. An abdominal x-ray showed multiple radio-opacities in the right upper quadrant. (Panel A) The location and exact nature of these opacities was initially unclear. A chest x-ray suggested situs inversus. (Panel B) The foreign bodies were then found to be iron tablets located in the stomach. Whole bowel irrigation (WBI) with polyethylene glycol was instituted to decontaminate the gastrointestinal tract. Following WBI, the gastrointestinal tract was clear of all radiopaque tablets. (Panel C) The patient had no complications following the procedure and remained stable after the remaining iron tablets were removed.