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A prickly situation: an attempted Caterpillar ingestion - case report
Amar K Bhardwaj1, Naif Fnais2,3, Christopher J Chin4,5,6
1Dalhousie Medicine New Brunswick, Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada.
Summary
A novel technique using medical tape effectively removed irritating caterpillar setae from a child's mouth. This fast, safe, and efficient method offers a new solution for managing foreign body ingestion in pediatric patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Emergency Medicine
- Toxicology
- Otolaryngology
Background:
- Foreign body ingestion is a frequent pediatric concern.
- Spotted Tussock Moth (Lophocampa maculata) caterpillars present unique removal challenges due to their setae.
- This case highlights the management of an 18-month-old child with ingested caterpillar setae.
Observation:
- The child presented with secretions and odynophagia after oral contact with a caterpillar.
- Examination revealed numerous fine setae embedded in the lips and tongue.
- Direct laryngoscopy confirmed setae were confined to the anterior oral cavity, with no airway involvement.
Findings:
- Traditional forceps removal of setae was difficult and time-consuming.
- A new technique involving drying the mucosa with gauze and applying waterproof medical tape proved highly effective.
- This method rapidly removed the majority of the caterpillar setae.
Implications:
- This study introduces a novel, efficient, and safe method for removing caterpillar setae from the oral mucosa.
- The described technique offers a valuable addition to the pediatric foreign body removal toolkit.
- This approach may reduce procedural time and improve patient outcomes in similar cases.
