Affiliations 

  • 1 Dental Biomaterials Research Chair, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia darshandevang@gmail.com
  • 2 Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, KVG Dental College and Hospital, India
  • 3 Dental Biomaterials Research Chair, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
  • 4 Oral and Maxillofacial Department, Selayang Hospital, Malaysia
Med Sci Law, 2016 Jul;56(3):230-2.
PMID: 26271077 DOI: 10.1177/0025802415599567

Abstract

Susuk, or charm needles, are small, metallic needles inserted under the skin, considered to enhance beauty, health and luck. This hidden secret of inserting susuk is a traditional superstitious ritual, widely practiced among women of Southeast Asia. Here, we present an interesting case of incidental radiographic finding of the concealed art of susuk, which was exposed on a panoramic radiograph taken on a routine basis as a part of diagnostic work up at our centre. An orthopantomogram revealed bilateral metallic foreign bodies in the maxillo-facial region. Anamnestic data affirmed the practice of the body art of susuk. The charm needles were present in the orofacial region without the patient experiencing any pathological signs or symptoms.

* Title and MeSH Headings from MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.