Prolonged Undiagnosed Nasal Foreign Body Case Report

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Persistent sinusitis symptoms in a young female were unresponsive to conservative treatments.
• Previous examinations and rhinoscopies failed to identify the underlying cause.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a case of a long-standing nasal foreign body (NFB) mimicking chronic sinusitis.
• To emphasize the diagnostic challenges and importance of thorough investigation for refractory sinonasal symptoms.

Main Methods:

• A 22-year-old female with 18 years of unresolved sinus issues.
• Diagnostic workup included physical examination, anterior rhinoscopy, and paranasal sinus computed tomography (CT) scan.
• Surgical removal of the NFB via nasal endoscopy under general anesthesia.

Main Results:

• A calcified cotton vegetation was identified as the NFB after 18 years.
• Surgical intervention successfully resolved the chronic sinus symptoms.
• The NFB was successfully removed using nasal endoscopy.

Conclusions:

• Complete investigation, including advanced imaging like CT scans, is crucial for persistent sinonasal symptoms.
• Nasal foreign bodies can remain undetected for extended periods, presenting as chronic sinusitis.
• Early and accurate diagnosis through comprehensive evaluation is key to effective treatment.