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Case Reports
. 2018 Jun 23:2018:bcr2017220066.
doi: 10.1136/bcr-2017-220066.

A migratory shark bone

Elizabeth Mathew  1 , Tharsika Myuran  2 , Hoi-Yi Ching  3
Affiliations
Case Reports

A migratory shark bone

Elizabeth Mathew et al. BMJ Case Rep. .

Abstract

Fish bone ingestion is a common presentation in ENT. If not managed correctly, it can cause serious complications for the patient and dilemmas for the clinician. A 49-year-old Sri Lankan woman presented to the emergency department following shark bone ingestion with a 'pricking' sensation in her throat. After initial investigation, the bone migrated through to the sternocleidomastoid muscle. After surgical removal of the shark bone she went on to develop a large neck collection, which required surgical drainage. The careful attention to the patient's history and use of imaging facilitated treatment in this case of fish bone ingestion and management of the sequelae.

Keywords: accidents, injuries; ear, nose and throat/otolaryngology; head and neck surgery; otolaryngology / ent; radiology.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing interests: None declared.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Lateral soft tissue neck demonstrating the shark bone.
Figure 2
Figure 2
CT scan demonstrating the shark bone.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Shark bone removed from the patient’s neck.
Figure 4
Figure 4
CT scan showing neck collection.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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