MIGRATION OF NEEDLE INTO HEART THROUGH CHEST WALL: SURGICAL REMOVAL: ELECTROCARDIOGRAPHIC AND ROENTGENOGRAPHIC STUDIES

This case is reported because of its unique character and its interesting electrocardiographic and roentgenographic records. N. S., a man, aged 34, Puerto Rican, sign painter, was brought to the Metropolitan Hospital by ambulance, complaining of pain in the left side of the chest. He stated that he was sleeping in a bed placed directly below a pincushion suspended on the wall. He was aroused from sleep by a sharp pain in the anterior part of the left side of the chest. He said it felt as if a needle had stuck him. The pain increased in intensity and he called an ambulance. On admission of the patient to the ward the pain had increased in severity and was exaggerated on deep breathing. He now complained of pain radiating to the tip of the left shoulder and designated the tip of the acromion process and the area covered by the supraclavicular fossa