Unusual cervical foreign body - a neglected thermometer for 5 years: A case report

Abstract

Background: Foreign body in the deep neck is mostly associated with accidental ingestion of the animal spiculate bone which penetrates the full-thickness of the aerodigestive tract into the fascial spaces of the neck. In general, perforation of the esophagus often results in periesophagitis and even fatal abscesses. The presence of a giant foreign body in the neck without obvious symptoms or complications for many years is rare.

Case summary: We present the case of a 32-year-old man who intentionally swallowed a thermometer which was unable to be located by endoscopy at his initial visit. He had no remarkable symptoms for 5 years other than paresthesia and limited movement of the left neck until 7 d before this admission. The foreign body was removed successfully by the surgery.

Conclusion: The presence of a giant foreign body in the neck without obvious symptoms or complications for many years is rare. Both endoscopic and radiological examinations are essential for the diagnosis of alimentary foreign bodies.

Keywords: Case report; Cervical foreign body; Neck radiography; Open neck surgery; Thermometer ingestion.

Figure 1

Rod-shaped foreign body extending from the left pyriform sinus to the mediastinum. A: X-ray plain film; B: Three-dimensional reconstructive image.

Figure 2

Axial cervical computed tomography scan demonstrated a high density in the anterior area of the neck and the upper mediastinal area and near the left arteria carotis communis.

Figure 3

The location and dimension of the thermometer. A: The thermometer was wrapped in a dense fibrous envelope (white arrow); B: Dimension of the thermometer.