"Metallic taste": search for the needle in a haystack (exemplary diagnostic measures and successful minimal invasive endoscopic treatment of a needle-like copper-containing foreign body in the gastric wall)

Abstract

Chronic complaints and non-specific symptoms are always challenging for the selection of adequate diagnostic management and therapeutic decision making (eg, in uncharacteristic metallic taste). In this extraordinary, but exemplary case, the successful outcome for a 51-year-old woman with a chronic complaint of metallic taste (believed to be the first report in the literature as a cause of copper overload) is described. The patient underwent, after appropriate diagnostic measures, including MRI (detection), laboratory analysis of serum copper level (increased) and endoscopic ultrasound scan (localising the site), a minimal invasive treatment using endoscopic mucosectomy to remove a detected needle-like copper-containing foreign body from the intramural site of the gastric wall.

Metallic Sensation—Just an Off-Flavor or a Biologically Relevant Sensing Pathway?

“…24 Elsewhere, a copper needle in the intramural site of the gastric wall of a patient led to an increased serum copper level and chronic complaint of metallic taste. 25 Another severely neglected issue is the metallic taste experienced by cancer patients receiving metal-based chemotherapy, e.g., platinum-containing compounds. Findings suggest that the prevalence of this taste alteration may be as high as 78%, clearly expressing the need for further research because these symptoms are crucially linked to food intake, body weight, and ultimately the overall health outcome of these patients.…”

“…A persistent metallic perception is also among the many symptoms of the burning mouth syndrome, a complex condition characterized by a burning sensation in the mouth without known medical causes . Elsewhere, a copper needle in the intramural site of the gastric wall of a patient led to an increased serum copper level and chronic complaint of metallic taste . Another severely neglected issue is the metallic taste experienced by cancer patients receiving metal-based chemotherapy, e.g., platinum-containing compounds.…”