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Case Reports
. 2009 Mar-Apr;75(2):195-9.
doi: 10.1016/s1808-8694(15)30778-3.

Do foreign bodies migrate through the body towards the heart?

Rui Celso Martins Mamede  1 , Fabiana do Amaral, Daniel Garcia Raimundo, Luiz Carlos Conti de Freitas, Hilton M A Ricz, Francisco V Mello Filho
Affiliations
Case Reports

Do foreign bodies migrate through the body towards the heart?

Rui Celso Martins Mamede et al. Braz J Otorhinolaryngol. 2009 Mar-Apr.

Abstract

Fixation of foreign bodies (FB), in the mucosa, can favor its migration, giving origin to the popular saying: 'FB walk to the heart'.

Aim: Describe the mechanisms involved in FB migration and how to diagnose them.

Methodology: From a sample of 3,000 foreign bodies, during 40 years, we analyzed four which had extra-lumen migration. We analyzed clinical, radiologic, endoscopic and ultrasound data collected at the medical documentation service.

Results: Three clinical histories are presented, describing two fish bones and one piece of fish cartilage. FB shifting was analyzed in all of them. Migration started in the esophagus in two, one going to the aorta and the other to the neck area. In the other two, migration started in the pharynx, and the FB moved towards the prevertebral fascia and the other externalized in the submandibular region. The mechanisms and the risks posed to the patient, by FB migration, and the way to diagnose them are hereby discussed.

Conclusions: The study allows us to determine that FB can move through the body but not towards the heart. The study also serves as a warning sign: in cases of prolonged histories of FB ingestion, imaging studies are mandatory before endoscopic examination.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Linear calcic image of the cricoid, medially and below the carotid, with a small quantity of air around it.
Figure 2
Figure 2
FB coming out in the submandibular region.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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