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Dental prosthesis as an unsuspected foreign body
Annals of Emergency Medicine
|January 1, 1984
Summary
Aspiration of dental prostheses can cause serious swallowing and breathing problems. Prompt recognition of radiographic findings is crucial for early diagnosis and effective patient treatment.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Gastroenterology
- Geriatric Medicine
Background:
- Ingested or aspirated dental prostheses are a potential cause of dysphagia and respiratory obstruction.
- Patients with dementia may be at higher risk for aspirating foreign objects due to cognitive impairment.
Observation:
- A case is presented of a patient with dementia who had a dental prosthesis lodged in the hypopharynx.
- The patient underwent extensive diagnostic workup, including radiologic studies, scans, total parenteral nutrition, and multiple endoscopies, before the dysphagia was attributed to the aspirated prosthesis.
- The dental prosthesis was visible on radiologic examination but was initially overlooked in the differential diagnosis.
Findings:
- The aspirated dental prosthesis was the underlying cause of the patient's dysphagia and respiratory symptoms.
- Removal of the dental prosthesis led to an uneventful recovery.
Implications:
- Early diagnosis and treatment of aspirated foreign bodies, such as dental prostheses, are critical for patient outcomes.
- Radiologists and clinicians must be vigilant in recognizing the radiographic appearance of dental prostheses to avoid diagnostic delays.