An Unusual Cause of Cervical Radicular Pain-Foreign Body in Esophagus

Foreign bodies in the esophagus are considered to be a life-threatening condition in adults and children because of esophageal perforation, chemical pneumonitis, airway obstruction, and development of a fistula, leading to high morbidity and mortality with this condition. Most cases present with immediate symptoms. However, in rare cases, the foreign body can migrate within the tissues and become symptomatic at a later date.

We report a rare case of a foreign body in the esophagus following fishmeal ingestion. The foreign body had traversed the lumen of the esophagus and migrated into the neural foramina with impingement of the left C6 root with resulting left C6 radicular pain. Radiology and successful surgical management is discussed herein, along with relevant literature.

Radiculopathy after foreign body ingestion is very rare. In patients presenting with persistent radicular pain, in particular in close proximity to the neurovascular structures, we advise early surgery to prevent a neurological deficit.