Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 9, 2026
04:55
Handheld Metal Detector Screening for Metallic Foreign Body Ingestion in Children
Published on: September 11, 2018
11.3K
Foreign Bodies on Lateral Neck Radiographs in Adults: Imaging Findings and Common Pitfalls
Alba Castán Senar1, Laura E Dinu1, José M Artigas1
1From the Department of Radiology, Miguel Servet University Hospital, Paseo Isabel la Católica 1-3, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain.
Summary
Foreign-body ingestion in adults is often due to bones. Lateral neck radiographs (LNRs) are effective for detecting these foreign bodies, guiding diagnosis and avoiding further imaging.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Emergency Medicine
- Otolaryngology
Background:
- Foreign-body (FB) ingestion is less common in adults but presents unique diagnostic challenges.
- Common adult FBs include fish and chicken bones, often lodging in the oropharynx or cricopharyngeal region.
Purpose of the Study:
- To outline the diagnostic management of suspected foreign-body ingestion in adults.
- To emphasize the utility of lateral neck radiographs (LNRs) in emergency settings.
Main Methods:
- Initial evaluation with indirect or fiberoptic laryngoscopy for oropharyngeal FBs.
- Recommended use of anteroposterior and lateral neck radiographs (LNRs) with soft-tissue technique for suspected hypopharyngeal or upper cervical esophageal FBs.
Main Results:
- LNRs achieve 70%-80% detection rates for FBs in the hypopharynx and upper cervical esophagus.
- LNRs aid in determining FB presence, nature, location, and risk, potentially obviating the need for CT scans.
- Prevertebral soft-tissue swelling can be an indirect sign of radiolucent FBs or complications.
Conclusions:
- Proper interpretation of LNRs is crucial for accurate FB diagnosis in adults.
- A systematic approach using LNRs can optimize imaging choices and patient management.
Related Concept Videos
01:14Imaging Studies I: CT and MRI
1.1K
Introduction: MRI and CT scans are crucial advancements in medical imaging techniques, playing a vital role in diagnosing conditions related to the gastrointestinal (GI) system. Each scan serves distinct purposes, targets specific areas, and requires unique nursing duties.
Description of the Procedures
Computed Tomography (CT) scan:
Computed Tomography (CT) scans use X-ray technology to generate detailed images of bones, organs, and tissues. During the scan, the patient lies on a moving table...
Description of the Procedures
Computed Tomography (CT) scan:
Computed Tomography (CT) scans use X-ray technology to generate detailed images of bones, organs, and tissues. During the scan, the patient lies on a moving table...
1.1K
01:24X-ray Imaging
10.9K
German physicist Wilhelm Röntgen (1845–1923) was experimenting with electrical current when he discovered that a mysterious and invisible "ray" would pass through his flesh but leave an outline of his bones on a screen coated with a metal compound. In 1895, Röntgen made the first durable record of the internal parts of a living human: an "X-ray" image (as it came to be called) of his wife’s hand. Scientists worldwide quickly began their own experiments with...
10.9K
01:17Ultrasonography
8.2K
Ultrasonography is an imaging technique that uses high-frequency sound waves to visualize the body's internal structures. It is a non-invasive and safe procedure that does not involve the use of ionizing radiation, making it widely used in various medical fields. Ultrasonography is used to study heart function, blood flow in the neck or extremities, certain conditions such as gallbladder disease, and fetal growth and development.
During an ultrasonography procedure, a handheld device called...
During an ultrasonography procedure, a handheld device called...
8.2K
01:30Radiological Investigation I: X-ray and CT
1.4K
Radiological investigations, including X-rays and computed tomography (CT) scans, are critical for diagnosing and evaluating various medical conditions. These imaging techniques provide valuable insights into the body's internal structures, aiding in the detection of abnormalities, assessment of disease progression, and development of treatment strategies. This article delves into two primary radiological investigations, chest X-rays and CT scans, outlining their purpose, procedures, and...
1.4K
01:20Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System III: X-Ray
559
The most common cardiovascular diagnostic test is an X-ray. It produces images of the heart, blood vessels, and adjacent structures.
Definition and Purpose
An X-ray, or radiograph, is a non-invasive method that uses ionizing radiation to take images of internal structures. It is mainly used in cardiac imaging to examine the heart, lungs, and major blood vessels, aiming to identify abnormalities in the heart's size, shape, and position, such as heart failure, congenital defects, and vascular...
Definition and Purpose
An X-ray, or radiograph, is a non-invasive method that uses ionizing radiation to take images of internal structures. It is mainly used in cardiac imaging to examine the heart, lungs, and major blood vessels, aiming to identify abnormalities in the heart's size, shape, and position, such as heart failure, congenital defects, and vascular...
559
01:13Radiological Investigation III: Pulmonary Angiogram and PET Scan
556
Radiological investigations are paramount in the diagnosis and management of various pulmonary diseases. Two essential investigations are the Pulmonary Angiogram and the Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Scan.
Pulmonary Angiogram
A Pulmonary Angiogram is an invasive procedure involving injecting a contrast medium through a catheter threaded into the pulmonary artery or the right side of the heart to visualize the pulmonary vasculature. Computed Tomography (CT) scans have mainly replaced this...
Pulmonary Angiogram
A Pulmonary Angiogram is an invasive procedure involving injecting a contrast medium through a catheter threaded into the pulmonary artery or the right side of the heart to visualize the pulmonary vasculature. Computed Tomography (CT) scans have mainly replaced this...
556