A 28-year-old man, CC, self-administered calcium chloride from a cheese-making kit into his scrotum in an attempt to alleviate his obsessive fantasies. He experienced severe pain, night sweats, and anxiety, and his testicles shrunk. A medical examination revealed large masses in both testicles, likely due to calcification of necrotic tissue. The high levels of calcium caused muscle contraction, vasoconstriction, and cell death, leading to severe tissue damage. The medical team could only provide pain management and supportive care, as there is no antidote to reverse the damage. Two months later, CC appeared to have recovered, but the extent of permanent damage to his reproductive system is unknown.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. A 28-year-old man, referred to as CC, presented to the emergency room with suprapubic pain.
2. CC had been experiencing compulsive fantasies that were ruining his life.
3. He had been searching for a solution online and came across a cheese-making kit that contained calcium chloride.
4. CC injected the calcium chloride into his testicles in an attempt to alleviate his symptoms.
5. The injection caused a burning sensation, and CC experienced night sweats, anxiety, and a noticeable decrease in testicular size.
6. A scrotal ultrasound revealed two large spherical masses in each testicle.
7. The medical team suspected that the masses were caused by the injection of calcium chloride.
8. Calcium chloride is a salt that can cause muscle contraction and cell death.
9. The injection of calcium chloride into the soft tissue of the testicles may have caused vasoconstriction, leading to tissue necrosis.
10. The medical team was unable to reverse the damage, but CC was given pain medication and supportive care.
11. A blood test revealed that CC had hypogonadal function, with a bioavailable testosterone level of 7%, which is the lower limit of normal.
12. Calcium chloride is known to have a high risk of extravasation injury to the skin, causing tissue necrosis.
13. In the hospital, calcium gluconate is typically used instead of calcium chloride to treat hypocalcemia due to its lower risk of injury.
14. At a two-month follow-up, CC appeared to be in better spirits, with no more suprapubic pain, night sweats, or anxiety.