Guy Lives With Pencil in Head for 15 Years

When a 24-year-old man sought help after years of headaches, constant colds, and worsening vision in one eye, he probably wasn't expecting this to be the reason: Doctors found a 4-inch pencil lodged from his sinus to his pharynx, which had injured his right eye socket. They say he spent 15 years with the pencil in his head. The man, who is from Afghanistan, said he didn't know how the pencil got there but recalled that he once fell badly as a child. The doctors removed the pencil and say the man has recovered.

The case, which was treated by German doctors at Aachen University Hospital in 2011, was presented for the first time at a medical conference this week. (More timeless news stories.)