Urethral foreign body insertion for symptom relief: a case report

Abstract Background Urethral foreign body insertion is a rare and challenging clinical condition often associated with significant morbidity. Previous reports have highlighted motivations such as sexual gratification or psychiatric disorders. However, this case report uniquely focuses on a less-disc...

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Main Authors: Wenhao Hu, Tao Xu, Weifeng Yu, Along Zhong, Qianlei Zheng
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-08-01
Series:Journal of Medical Case Reports
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s13256-025-05493-8
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author Wenhao Hu
Tao Xu
Weifeng Yu
Along Zhong
Qianlei Zheng
author_facet Wenhao Hu
Tao Xu
Weifeng Yu
Along Zhong
Qianlei Zheng
author_sort Wenhao Hu
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Urethral foreign body insertion is a rare and challenging clinical condition often associated with significant morbidity. Previous reports have highlighted motivations such as sexual gratification or psychiatric disorders. However, this case report uniquely focuses on a less-discussed motivation: the alleviation of physical discomfort from prior trauma. Case presentation A 64 year-old Han male patient presented to the emergency department with urinary retention and dysuria. He had inserted magnetic beads into his urethra to relieve perineal discomfort caused by prior trauma. After being unable to remove the beads using his usual method, he sought medical assistance. A multidisciplinary approach involving urologists, psychologists, and acupuncturists was employed. The beads were successfully removed through endoscopic procedures and a suprapubic bladder incision. The patient also received acupuncture for pain relief and psychological counseling to address underlying motivations and develop healthier coping strategies. Conclusion This case emphasizes the importance of a comprehensive and empathetic approach to managing urethral foreign body cases, considering each patient’s unique circumstances and motivations. It also underscores the risks of self-treatment on the basis of unverified online information, particularly in vulnerable populations. Further research and education are needed to address the impact of online misinformation on self-treatment behaviors and to develop more effective interventions for at-risk individuals.
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spelling doaj-art-e72ef9636adf4e1aa0635da33f90b02b2025-08-20T03:44:01ZengBMCJournal of Medical Case Reports1752-19472025-08-011911510.1186/s13256-025-05493-8Urethral foreign body insertion for symptom relief: a case reportWenhao Hu0Tao Xu1Weifeng Yu2Along Zhong3Qianlei Zheng4Department of Urological Surgery, The Affiliated People’s Hospital of Ningbo UniversityDepartment of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The Affiliated People’s Hospital of Ningbo UniversityDepartment of Radiology, The Affiliated People’s Hospital of Ningbo UniversityDepartment of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, The Affiliated People’s Hospital of Ningbo UniversityDepartment of Psychiatry, The Affiliated People’s Hospital of Ningbo UniversityAbstract Background Urethral foreign body insertion is a rare and challenging clinical condition often associated with significant morbidity. Previous reports have highlighted motivations such as sexual gratification or psychiatric disorders. However, this case report uniquely focuses on a less-discussed motivation: the alleviation of physical discomfort from prior trauma. Case presentation A 64 year-old Han male patient presented to the emergency department with urinary retention and dysuria. He had inserted magnetic beads into his urethra to relieve perineal discomfort caused by prior trauma. After being unable to remove the beads using his usual method, he sought medical assistance. A multidisciplinary approach involving urologists, psychologists, and acupuncturists was employed. The beads were successfully removed through endoscopic procedures and a suprapubic bladder incision. The patient also received acupuncture for pain relief and psychological counseling to address underlying motivations and develop healthier coping strategies. Conclusion This case emphasizes the importance of a comprehensive and empathetic approach to managing urethral foreign body cases, considering each patient’s unique circumstances and motivations. It also underscores the risks of self-treatment on the basis of unverified online information, particularly in vulnerable populations. Further research and education are needed to address the impact of online misinformation on self-treatment behaviors and to develop more effective interventions for at-risk individuals.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13256-025-05493-8Urethral foreign bodiesMultidisciplinary managementComprehensive approachSelf-treatmentPsychological intervention
spellingShingle Wenhao Hu
Tao Xu
Weifeng Yu
Along Zhong
Qianlei Zheng
Urethral foreign body insertion for symptom relief: a case report
Journal of Medical Case Reports
Urethral foreign bodies
Multidisciplinary management
Comprehensive approach
Self-treatment
Psychological intervention
title Urethral foreign body insertion for symptom relief: a case report
title_full Urethral foreign body insertion for symptom relief: a case report
title_fullStr Urethral foreign body insertion for symptom relief: a case report
title_full_unstemmed Urethral foreign body insertion for symptom relief: a case report
title_short Urethral foreign body insertion for symptom relief: a case report
title_sort urethral foreign body insertion for symptom relief a case report
topic Urethral foreign bodies
Multidisciplinary management
Comprehensive approach
Self-treatment
Psychological intervention
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s13256-025-05493-8
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AT taoxu urethralforeignbodyinsertionforsymptomreliefacasereport
AT weifengyu urethralforeignbodyinsertionforsymptomreliefacasereport
AT alongzhong urethralforeignbodyinsertionforsymptomreliefacasereport
AT qianleizheng urethralforeignbodyinsertionforsymptomreliefacasereport