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[A four-year-old boy with swollen cheek after a fall]
John-Helge Heimdal1, Svein Jacob Tjoflaat Nygaard, Jan Olofsson
1Øre-nese-halsavdelingen, Klinikk for hode-hals, Haukeland Universitetssjukehus, 5021 Bergen. john.heimdal@helse-bergen.no
Summary
A four-year-old boy experienced a penetrating wooden stick injury from his ear to his throat after falling from a tree. The foreign body was successfully removed, with no complications.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Pediatric Trauma
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- A pediatric case involving a fall from a tree resulting in delayed presentation of symptoms.
- Initial assessment at a casualty clinic revealed no immediate signs of injury.
Observation:
- A four-year-old boy presented with progressive cheek swelling and pain.
- Computed tomography (CT) revealed extensive preauricular soft tissue swelling and a hypodense tract from the left ear to the oropharynx.
- General anesthesia examination identified a wooden stick traversing the external auditory meatus to the palatal tonsil.
Findings:
- An 8.5 cm wooden foreign body penetrated the left external auditory meatus to the right palatal tonsil.
- Surgical removal was achieved via a pre-auricular incision.
- The patient received antibiotic therapy and tetanus prophylaxis post-procedure.
Implications:
- Highlights the importance of thorough examination in pediatric trauma, even with initially minor symptoms.
- Demonstrates the utility of CT imaging in diagnosing deep-seated foreign bodies.
- Successful management of a rare penetrating ear and oropharyngeal foreign body in a child.