Bubble tea pearls accumulate in patient's abdomen
But why they showed up on X-ray is still a mystery
23rd August 2019
People’s thirst for bubble tea seems to have skyrocketed in recent years, and it shows no sign of slowing down — unlike one teenager’s digestive system, which came to a starch-induced standstill thanks to the gelatinous drink.
The 14-year-old girl presented to a Chinese ED after five days of abdominal pain, constipation and lack of appetite, with her abdomen appearing swollen on examination.
Doctors ordered a CT, which revealed that the patient’s gastrointestinal tract was absolutely packed with 100 shadowy pearls, according Chinese media reports.