[Foreign body of the thyroid gland].

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Endocrinology
• Radiology

Background:

• Thyroid foreign bodies are exceptionally rare, often presenting diagnostic difficulties due to unusual migration pathways.
• Swallowed fish bones can perforate the pharyngeal wall and migrate into adjacent structures like the thyroid gland.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a rare case of a fish bone foreign body within the thyroid gland.
• To analyze the diagnostic and therapeutic process for migrated foreign bodies.
• To emphasize the importance of timely surgical intervention.

Main Methods:

• Case presentation of a patient with a migrated fish bone.
• Review of diagnostic modalities including endoscopy, ultrasound, and computed tomography (CT).
• Analysis of treatment outcomes and literature data.

Main Results:

• The fish bone perforated the pharyngeal wall and migrated to the thyroid gland, causing diagnostic challenges.
• Endoscopy was ineffective for locating the migrated foreign body within soft tissues.
• Ultrasound and CT were crucial for accurate topical diagnosis, revealing migration towards the cervical vascular bundle and local complications.
• Delayed surgical intervention due to a 'wait-and-see' approach led to increased tissue inflammation.

Conclusions:

• Migrated foreign bodies, particularly fish bones, into the thyroid gland require advanced imaging like ultrasound and CT for diagnosis.
• Early surgical treatment is essential for optimal outcomes and rapid patient rehabilitation.
• A 'wait-and-see' approach can exacerbate inflammation and complicate management.