Yunnan, China:
A patient who complained for years of headaches was found to have a 10 centimeter dagger blade embedded in his skull, China state broadcaster CCTV reported.
Doctors at the People's Hospital in Yuxi city say they made the discovery after patient Mr. Ni, also known as Li Fu, visited seeking treatment for what he suspected was ear canal disease.
Ni, who did not want to to reveal his full true identity, is thought to have sustained the injury in a fight with a robber four years ago, according to CCTV.
The blade showed up clearly after CT (Computed Axial Tomography) scans were taken.
The scans and Ni's extraordinary story were later published on the hospital's website.
Xu Wen, deputy director of the stomatology department, said there was no sign of an external wound and there was no clear explanation as to how the blade became lodged in Ni's lower right jaw.
Ni said he had suffered frequent headaches ever since the battle with the robber.
He also suffered occasional bleeding from the mouth and had difficulty swallowing, according to reports.
His voice also became hoarse and he sometimes found it hard to speak coherently.
Ni claimed he had undergone several hospital examinations, but doctors had been unable to find a cause for his symptoms.
He told CCTV he took injections to try and relieve the pain in his head and ears.
Although badly rusted, the removed blade was well preserved and retained its sharp edges.
Doctors told CCTV Ni was fortunate that the blade did not touch his brain artery or important facial nerves.
He is now recovering in the hospital.