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The case of the disappearing fish bone
1Department of ENT, Cumhuriyet University, Sivas, Turkey.
The Journal of Otolaryngology
|December 1, 1995
Summary
A pharyngeal fish bone migrated into neck soft tissues. Conservative management led to complete bone resorption and patient recovery at 9-month CT follow-up.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Radiology
- Surgical Pathology
Background:
- Pharyngeal foreign bodies, particularly fish bones, present a diagnostic and management challenge.
- Migration into deeper neck tissues can lead to significant morbidity if not managed appropriately.
Observation:
- A case of a pharyngeal fish bone migrating into the soft tissues of the neck is presented.
- The patient underwent conservative management without surgical intervention.
Findings:
- A 9-month follow-up computed tomography (CT) scan revealed complete disappearance of the fish bone.
- The fish bone was presumed to have been resorbed by the surrounding tissues.
Implications:
- Conservative management may be a viable option for select cases of migrated pharyngeal fish bones.
- The potential for spontaneous resorption of foreign bodies in soft tissues warrants further investigation.
