By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini
A 44-year-old Tanzanian man seeking treatment for pus discharge from his right nipple was stunned to learn he had been living with a large knife embedded in his chest for nearly a decade, doctors revealed in a recent medical report.
The patient, who had no major health complaints apart from the infection, recalled being stabbed multiple times during a violent altercation eight years ago. At the time, doctors sutured his wounds but lacked the equipment to conduct an X-ray. Since he reported no pain afterwards, further investigation was never pursued.
However, when the man visited Muhimbili National Hospital recently, an X-ray uncovered an astonishing sight—an 8-inch knife lodged near his ribcage. Miraculously, the blade had missed all vital organs.
Surgeons successfully removed the knife along with dead tissue and pus. The patient recovered well after a brief ICU stay and was discharged within 10 days.
Doctors described the case as “extremely rare,” noting that the body had formed a protective layer around the blade, preventing severe complications. The findings were published in the National Library of Medicine, highlighting the importance of thorough trauma assessments.