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Foreign Body in the Cervical Oesophagus: A Case Report
Davide Giordano1, Cecilia Botti1,2, Valentina Iotti3
1Otolaryngology Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy.
Current Medical Imaging
|April 5, 2022
Summary
Foreign bodies in the upper aerodigestive tract are uncommon but can cause serious issues. Prompt diagnosis and removal of esophageal foreign bodies, like this bony fragment, are crucial to prevent complications.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Gastroenterology
- Emergency Medicine
Background:
- Foreign bodies in the upper aerodigestive tract are infrequent causes of emergency department visits.
- While most ingested foreign bodies pass spontaneously, sharp or large objects can lodge in the esophagus.
- Symptoms like dysphagia, stinging, or odynophagia after eating suggest a possible foreign body.
Observation:
- A 72-year-old woman presented with acute pharyngodynia, odynophagia, dysphagia, and sialorrhea after a meal.
- A lateral neck radiogram revealed a 16mm radiopaque foreign body in the cervical esophagus.
- The patient had symptoms consistent with esophageal impaction.
Findings:
- Transoral flexible esophagoscopy successfully removed a bony fragment from the cervical esophagus.
- The patient's symptoms resolved rapidly post-procedure.
- Radiopaque foreign bodies in the cervical esophagus can be identified via imaging.
Implications:
- Cervical esophageal foreign bodies pose a risk of visceral perforation if not addressed.
- Prompt identification and removal are essential to avert severe complications.
- Imaging plays a vital role in diagnosing esophageal foreign bodies when clinical suspicion is high.
