Submucosal Partial Denture in the Esophagus: A Case of Foreign Body Removal

A male in his 30s presented to a gastroenterology clinic and subsequently to an otolaryngology - head and neck surgery clinic for a one-month history of progressive dysphagia. X-ray was unrevealing, and CT demonstrated non-specific esophageal wall thickening inferior to the post-cricoid area. Esophagoscopy by head and neck surgery in the operating room revealed a submucosal protrusion of the posterior wall of the cervical esophagus. After unroofing the overlying mucosa, a broad, flat lesion was grasped, removed, and identified as a large plastic device consistent with a partial denture. The patient did not experience any post-operative complications, and a follow-up esophagram on post-operative day seven showed no evidence of leak. Manual manipulation techniques, including biopsy attempts, can play an important role in unroofing an apparent submucosal foreign body in the esophagus.