Rare living hypopharyngeal foreign body

Abstract

Background: This is a case report about a rare hypopharyngeal foreign body causing dysphagia, dyspnea, and hemoptysis as well as melena: an ingested leech. The patient was in this condition for more than 1 week.

Methods: The ingested leech, attached to the right piriform fossa partially obstructing the larynx, had to be removed under general anesthesia.

Results: After removal, no further symptoms occurred. The leech was identified as the species Theromyzon tessulatum.

Conclusions: Human infestation of a leech in the upper aerodigestive tract is a very rare condition in urban areas. The current literature is reviewed and the diagnostic approach as well as therapeutic options are discussed.