Abdominal Pain with Unknown Origin: A Case Report

Lead may cause toxicity in case of frequent occupational exposure or non-occupational exposure as a result of water, soil, and air pollution. Opium abuse is an important cause of lead poisoning among the people in Middle East, including Iran. Symptoms are not specific and include fatigue, impaired concentration and memory, and non-specific abdominal pain. The abdominal pain which is known as lead colic is in differential diagnosis with other common and emergent causes of abdominal pain. The key to making an accurate diagnosis in these cases, is to focus on a precise history to investigate any probable exposure. Measurement of the serum lead level will help in making definite diagnosis in suspected cases. The present article introduces a young man attending an emergency department with abdominal pain. He ignored any occupational lead exposure or opium abuse. When all clinical and para-clinical investigations failed to detect the cause of pain, serum lead level was tested which revealed lead poisoning. After taking more precise history, he finally disclosed using oral opium. He underwent treatment with Dimercaprol 10 mg 3 times per day for 5 days, then twice a day and all symptoms resolved within two weeks.