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Unusual migratory foreign body in the neck
S S Sreetharan1, N Prepageran, S Satwant
1ENT Department, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, PO Box 2029, 88586 Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia. tharan71@yahoo.com
Singapore Medical Journal
|September 30, 2004
Summary
A rare case of a swallowed tooth penetrating the pharynx after a car accident highlights unusual foreign body migration. The tooth was successfully removed, and the patient recovered well, offering insights into pharyngeal foreign body management.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Trauma Surgery
Background:
- Ingested foreign bodies causing pharyngeal penetration and neck migration are uncommon, with fish bones being the most frequent cause.
- Penetrating pharyngeal foreign bodies pose significant diagnostic and management challenges.
Observation:
- A 44-year-old male patient involved in a motor vehicle accident accidentally swallowed his tooth.
- The ingested tooth penetrated the pharyngeal wall and lodged near the right thyroid gland.
Findings:
- Surgical neck exploration successfully located and removed the foreign body (tooth).
- The patient experienced an uncomplicated recovery post-procedure.
Implications:
- This case expands the spectrum of potential penetrating pharyngeal foreign bodies beyond typical etiologies like fish bones.
- Highlights the importance of considering unusual foreign bodies in penetrating neck trauma evaluations.
- Demonstrates the efficacy of surgical exploration for managing deeply lodged pharyngeal foreign bodies.