A fish bone induced aortic arch pseudoaneurysm in a male patient: A case report

Esophageal foreign body is a commonly seen in China. However, pseudoaneurysm of the aortic arch caused by ingestion of fish bones is a rare, life-threatening condition.

A 71-year-old male was admitted to the Ear, Nose, and Throat department with a 4-day history of chest pain after eating fish.

After taking out the fish bone by rigid endoscopy, magnetic resonance imaging and computerized tomography angiography (CTA) scans revealed the presence of an aortic arch pseudoaneurysm, which was likely caused by the fish bone.

A successful endovascular graft exclusion surgery was performed to block the aorta ulcer.

The patient recovered and was discharged 20 days after hospitalization. The patient was healthy and had no fever or chest pain 4 months after discharge from the hospital.

Esophageal foreign bodies may lead to life-threatening impairment of the aorta or other big arteries. When esophageal foreign bodies puncture the esophageal wall, especially in the second stenosis of the esophagus, an enhanced-contrast computed tomography scan or a CTA scan may be necessary to exclude any potential impairment of the arteries.