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Something's "Fishy" With That Sore Throat
Michael Sweeney1, Denise R Ramponi
1Chestnut Hill Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Advanced Emergency Nursing Journal
|August 16, 2021
Summary
A sore throat in a child may indicate an esophageal foreign body, like a fishbone. Early and thorough history taking is crucial for diagnosing subtle cases of ingested foreign bodies.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Emergency Medicine
- Gastroenterology
- Otolaryngology
Background:
- Sore throat is a common pediatric complaint, often attributed to pharyngitis.
- Esophageal foreign bodies can present with non-specific symptoms, delaying diagnosis.
Observation:
- A 9-year-old male presented with a sore throat, initially suspected as pharyngitis.
- No signs of airway compromise (stridor, hypoxia, aphonia) or excessive salivation (sialorrhea) were present.
- Further history revealed a concern for a possible esophageal foreign body.
Findings:
- Imaging studies confirmed a fishbone lodged in the esophagus.
- The presentation was atypical, lacking classic foreign body ingestion signs.
Implications:
- This case underscores the importance of detailed history taking in pediatric emergency evaluations.
- Subtle findings on assessment and imaging are critical for identifying esophageal foreign bodies.
- Prompt diagnosis and removal of esophageal foreign bodies prevent serious complications.
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