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Case Reports
. 2023 May 5;15(5):e38593.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.38593. eCollection 2023 May.

Navigating the Esophagus: Effective Strategies for Foreign Body Removal

Rajmohan Rammohan  1 , Melvin Joy  2 , Dilman Natt  2 , Tulika Saggar  2 , Sai Greeshma Magam  2 , Sandra Gomez  3 , Najia Sayedy  4 , Jiten Desai  2 , Susan Bunting  2 , Paul Mustacchia  3
Affiliations
Case Reports

Navigating the Esophagus: Effective Strategies for Foreign Body Removal

Rajmohan Rammohan et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

Foreign body ingestion is a common medical emergency that can affect individuals of all ages and can be caused by various factors, including accidental ingestion, psychiatric disorders, intellectual disabilities, and substance abuse. The most common site for foreign body lodgment is the upper esophagus, followed by the middle esophagus, stomach, pharynx, lower esophagus, and duodenum. This article provides a case report of a 43-year-old male patient with a history of schizoaffective disorder and an indwelling suprapubic catheter who presented to the hospital due to foreign body ingestion. After examination, a metal clip from his Foley catheter was found lodged in his esophagus. The patient was intubated for the procedure, and an emergent endoscopic removal was performed to remove the metallic Foley component. No postoperative complications were observed, and the patient was successfully discharged. This case highlights the importance of considering foreign body ingestion in patients with chest pain, dysphagia, and vomiting. Prompt diagnosis and treatment are crucial to prevent potential complications such as perforation or gastrointestinal tract obstruction. The article also emphasizes the need for healthcare providers to know the different risk factors, variations, and common sites for foreign body lodgment to optimize patient care. Furthermore, the article highlights the importance of multidisciplinary care involving psychiatry and surgery to provide comprehensive care to patients with psychiatric disorders who may be at higher risk for foreign body ingestion. In conclusion, foreign body ingestion is a typical medical emergency that requires prompt diagnosis and treatment to prevent complications. This case report highlights the successful management of a patient with foreign body ingestion and emphasizes the importance of multidisciplinary care to optimize patient outcomes.

Keywords: emergency gastroenterology and endoscopy; ent procedures; esophageal foreign body; geriatric psychiatry; urgent upper endoscopy.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Metallic clip from the Foley bag
Figure 2
Figure 2. Metallic clip from the Foley bag lateral view
Figure 3
Figure 3. Pre-endoscopy X-ray image showing the foreign body
Figure 4
Figure 4. Upper endoscopy showing foreign body in the upper esophagus
Figure 5
Figure 5. Rat tooth/alligator forceps used for the removal of the foreign body
Figure 6
Figure 6. Upper endoscopy image post foreign body removal
Figure 7
Figure 7. X-ray image - post foreign body removal
Figure 8
Figure 8. Reference STERIS (Dublin, Ireland)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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