Self‐Embedding Behavior in Adults: A Report of Two Cases and a Systematic Review

Self‐Embedding Behavior in Adults: A Report of Two Cases and a Systematic Review

Self‐embedding behavior (SEB) is the repeated insertion of sharp objects, such as needles or pins, into the soft tissues of abdomen, limbs, and other body parts. In this study, two cases of SEB were reported and the scientific worldwide literature reviewed. Thirty‐two cases of SEB were identified th...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of forensic sciences Vol. 62; no. 4; pp. 953 - 961
Main Authors: Mannarino, Victor S., Pereira, Débora C. S., Gurgel, Wagner S., Costa, Carolina B. F., Valença, Alexandre M., Fontenelle, Leonardo F., Mendlowicz, Mauro V.
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: United States Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01-07-2017
Subjects:
Abdomen
Adults
Bibliographic data bases
Bibliographies
Body parts
deliberate self‐harm
Diagnosis
Disorders
Embedded systems
factitious disorders
forensic psychiatry
forensic science
Insertion
Limbs
Needles
Patients
Personality
personality disorders
Physicians
self‐injurious behavior
Soft tissues
Systematic review
forensic science
deliberate self-harm
forensic psychiatry
self-injurious behavior
factitious disorders
personality disorders
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Summary:Self‐embedding behavior (SEB) is the repeated insertion of sharp objects, such as needles or pins, into the soft tissues of abdomen, limbs, and other body parts. In this study, two cases of SEB were reported and the scientific worldwide literature reviewed. Thirty‐two cases of SEB were identified through systematic searches in the main bibliographic databases. Mean age was 35 years (SD = 8.97). Just over two‐thirds of the patients were female. Although the number of embedded objects could be as high as 200, major clinical and surgical complications were uncommon and mortality was null. Patients with SEB presented three major diagnoses: psychotic (25%), personality (21.9%), and factitious (28.1%) disorders. The practice of SEB largely went undetected as the patients themselves did not bring it to the attention of family members or physicians and usually denied they have engaged in SEB. A high level of suspicion is required to avoid a missed diagnosis.
Bibliography:SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1
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ObjectType-Review-2
ObjectType-Case Study-4
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ISSN:0022-1198
1556-4029
DOI:10.1111/1556-4029.13359