Oro-pharyngo-laryngeal foreign bodies: some interesting cases

Abstract

Ingestion of variety of foreign bodies causing respiratory distress and/or dysphagia is worldwide among all age groups. Securing airway by tracheostomy is important and direct laryngoscopy provides immediate diagnosis. The importance of contributory history and its visualization is emphasized in the diagnosis and early management in the described six cases.

Keywords: Ant; Ballpoint pen; Fish bone; Foreign bodies; Metallic beads; Removable complete denture; Stridor; Toothbrush head; Tracheostomy.

Fig. 1

Case 1. The bigger of the two rings (large arrow) of this metallic trinket was overlying the laryngeal inlet and the other one (small arrow) with beads was lying over the false vocal cord (a). X-rays soft tissue neck (AP and Lateral views) show position of the foreign body (b and c). Case 2. Tooth brush’s head with bristles (arrow) in the right cheek as seen in the X-ray film (lateral view). Case 3. Two views of plastic part of ball point pen (a). The patient was able to breath through the hole (arrow). X-rays soft tissue neck (Lateral view) shows the foreign body (encircled) in trachea in front of C5-6 (b). Case 4. The thief ant (Solenopsis sp.) after removal. Case 5. Fish bone after removal (a) and graphic representation of its position at the base of epiglottis (b)