ABSTRACT
A compulsive popcorn eater presented with complaints of abdominal and rectal pain, abdominal distention, and obstipation of one week's duration. Physical examination revealed a large lower abdominal mass, and roentgenograms demonstrated a large bezoar in the rectosigmoid region. This case describes the first report of a primary colonic bezoar caused by the ingestion of raw popcorn kernels.
Subject(s)
Bezoars/physiopathology , Colon , Adult , Bezoars/diagnostic imaging , Bezoars/etiology , Bezoars/therapy , Constipation/etiology , Enema , Female , Humans , Radiography , Zea mays/adverse effectsABSTRACT
The effect of zinc supplementation as zinc acetate (15 mg Zn/day for 5 weeks) was determined on stimulated parotid salivary zinc levels and taste acuity. In addition, zinc and copper levels of hair and plasma in 10 healthy subjects (five male and five female) between the ages of 17 and 37 years were studied. Presupplementation and 5 weeks postsupplementation levels were evaluated as well. Taste acuity for sweet improved with zinc supplementation and returned to presupplementation levels after supplementation ceased. No changes in plasma copper or salivary zinc levels were found with zinc supplementation although stimulated parotid saliva flow rate increased. Plasma zinc levels increased significantly while hair copper increased slightly with supplementation. All indices returned to presupplementation levels by 5 weeks after cessation of supplementation.
