Thyroid Abscess and Jugular Vein Thrombosis Caused by a Migratory Fish Bone: A Case Report and Literature Review

We present a rare case of a migratory fish bone into the thyroid gland with abscess formation and internal jugular vein (IJV) thrombosis. A 73-year-old woman was referred to our emergency department due to several syncopal attacks, a ground-level fall, drowsiness, and left-sided neck swelling, with a history of consuming fish three months ago. CT scan and ultrasound revealed abscess formation at the left side of the neck, a foreign body within the left lobe of the thyroid, and left IJV thrombosis. The fish bone was removed successfully, and a left thyroid lobectomy was performed. The postoperative course was uneventful, and the IJV reopened without further intervention. Fish bone migration into the thyroid gland is an unusual event, and its possibility should be considered, especially when the patient has persistent symptoms with negative findings on examination. In such cases, appropriate imaging and advanced interventions are essential for timely diagnosis and management.