Fish Bone Foreign Body: The Role of Imaging

Introduction  Fish bone foreign body (FFB) impaction in the upper aerodigestive tract is a common cause for emergency department referral. Its management varies in both diagnosis and treatment paradigms. Fish bone foreign bodies are more commonly found in the oropharynx in cases of patients < 40 years old, and in the esophagus in cases of patients > 40 years old. Symptoms are typically non-indicative for the location of the FFB, with the exception of foreign body sensation at/superior to the cervical esophagus. A lack of findings during the physical examination is routinely followed by imaging, with computed tomography (CT) being the preferred modality. In practice, many patients undergo unnecessary imaging studies, including CT scans.

Objectives  To identify patients with suspected fish bone impaction who do not require CT imaging and can be safely discharged.

Data Synthesis  We have searched the PubMed database for the following medical subject headings (MeSH) terms: fish bone , fish foreign body AND oropharynx , hypopharynx , esophagus , flexibleesophagoscopy , and rigidesophagoscopy . Our search in the English language yielded 32 papers. Case reports were included, since they highlighted rare and serious complications.

Conclusion  In patients > 40 years old suspected of fish bone impaction, non-contrast CT is recommended and should be urgently performed, even in the presence of ambiguous symptoms. However, in patients < 40 years old presenting within 24 hours from ingestion, imaging has little diagnostic value due to the low probability of esophageal fish bones. For this specific subgroup, in the absence of clinical findings, discharge without imaging studies may be considered safe.

Ultrasound Evaluation of Soft-Tissue Foreign Bodies by US Army Medics

Objective:

The study's primary objective was to determine army medics' accuracy performing bedside ultrasound (US) to detect radiolucent foreign bodies (FBs) in a soft-tissue hand model. Secondary objectives included the assessment of US stand-off pad effects on soft-tissue FB detection rates and assess established FB detectable lower limit size of 2 mm.

Methods:

Prospective, single blinded, observational study of US-naïve Army medics' abilities utilizing bedside US to detect wooden FBs in a chicken thigh model with or without an US stand-off pad. After a 2 h training period, medics' abilities to detect 1–3 mm FB utilizing a SonoSite^® M-Turbo US and 13–6 MHz linear probe were assessed.

Results:

After a 2 h training period, 28 medics had a sensitivity and specificity of 73% and 78% detecting 1–3 mm FBs utilizing standard US equipment. The medics' sensitivity and specificity were both 78% in detecting radiolucent FBs 2 mm and larger without a stand-off pad. The sensitivity and specificity decreased to 48%, 62%, and 67% when utilizing a stand-off pad to detect 1, 2, and 3 mm soft-tissue FBs. Sub 2 mm detection rates decreased from 82% for 2 mm FB to 64% for 1 mm FBs without utilizing a stand-off pad.

Conclusion:

Army medics with minimal US experience successfully identified FBs embedded in hand models with accuracies similar to radiologists and emergency medicine physicians. However, radiolucent FB detection sensitivity and specificity decreased in US-naïve Army medics utilizing stand-off pads. In addition, this study reconfirmed the lower limit of FB detection rates at 2 mm. These results support Army medics' utilization of US to evaluate for superficial radiolucent FBs of the hand.

[A case of magnetic pharyngeal foreign body in children]

Ingestion of magnetic foreign bodies is an increasing problem in the pediatric emergency in recent years.The majority of these injuries are ingestions involving the gastrointestinal tract, stomach, esophagus etc.Ingestion of multiple magnets has a high risk of bowel injury such as perforation or fistula. It needs us to pay attention to early assessment and appropriate intervention. Magnetic foreign bodies are usually from toys, a small part from medical instruments or accessories etc. It is infrequently reported that magnetic foreign body lodge in the hypopharynx, because the shape of it is spherical, button and a glaze surface. Now we have a case of magnetic foreign body involving hypopharynx.

[Foreign bodies of external nose and forehead:a case report]

Foreign bodies of external nose and forehead are rarely seen.In this case the patient stuck an acupuncture needle into the middle of two sides of the superliliary arch 3 months ago. Patient complains of slight pain in that region because of the infection.The X-ray and 3D CT examination present 4 abnormal high-density shadows in the subscutaneous tissue of external nose and forehead.Foreign bodies in maxillofacial region have the quality of being changeable when the muscles are contracting. The key point to the successful operation is finding the accurate location of the foreign bodies with feasible image examination and designing reasonable incisions.

Características y resultados de la ingestión de cuerpos extraños en niños

INTRODUCTION

Foreign body (FB) ingestion is a common home accident during childhood; a timely management by the specialists may help prevent complications in the short and long term.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the characteristics and complications of FB ingestion located in the gastrointestinal tract in the pediatric population.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Two phases, retrospective, and prospective study. Patients diagnosed with FB ingestion between January 1971 and December 2016 were included. The general characteristics of patients, FB type, removal method, and complications were registered. A descriptive analysis was performed.

RESULTS

Over 45 years, 2637 FBs were removed from the pharynx (n= 118), the esophagus (n= 2410), the stomach (n= 103), and the intestines (n= 6). Male patients predominated (50.9%); 74% were younger than 5 years. Besides, 57% arrived within the first 24 hours; ptyalism, dysphagia, and vomiting were the main symptoms; 16% of patients had no symptoms. It was possible to locate the FB using an X-ray in 93% of cases; the most common FBs were coins (78%); the most frequent location was the upper third of the esophagus (79%); 86% of FBs were removed using a rigid endoscope, and complications were observed in 7.8% of patients.

CONCLUSIONS

FB ingestion predominated among children younger than 5 years; metal objects were the most common ones. A plain X-ray is the test of choice for diagnosis; removal is usually done with a rigid or flexible endoscope, depending on the endoscopist's experience.

[Complicated airway foreign body in a child: a case report]

Summary A 9 year-old boy suffering from cough for half a month, fever for 4 days was hospitalized. CT three-dimensional reconstruction showed that a metallic needle-like foreign body within the right main bronchial with pneumonia and atelectasis. In the next day, the boy took examination using an open-tube rigid bronchoscope under general anesthesia. For the first time, the foreign body was jammed in glottis with SpO₂ and HR declining. For the second time, the operator found the foreign was not a needle but a thumbtack. Finally, the thumbtack was removed from the airway after short-term paralysis using succinylcholine.

Diabetes is an independent risk factor for delayed perforation after foreign bodies impacted in esophagus in adults

Background

Perforation is the most serious complication of esophageal foreign bodies. Studies examining the association between diabetes and esophageal foreign body-induced perforation are largely non-existent.

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to identify the risk factors for esophageal foreign body-induced perforation.

Methods

A retrospective chart review of patients with esophageal foreign bodies between January 2012-January 2017 was performed at the Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital. The patients were divided into two groups: those complicated with perforation and those without perforation. Date on patient demographics, symptoms, foreign bodies, and diabetes were collected and analyzed. Study-specific odds ratio and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated using multivariable logistic regression models.

Results

Of 294 patients with esophageal foreign bodies (41.84% male, mean age, 56.73 years), 33 (11.22%) complicated by perforation. Diabetes (odds ratio = 6.00; 95% confidence interval = 1.72-20.23), duration (>24 h) of foreign bodies retention (odds ratio = 4.25; 95% confidence interval = 1.71-10.86), and preoperative fever (odds ratio = 8.19; 95% confidence interval = 3.17-21.74) were strongly associated with an increased risk of perforation, whereas the sensation of a foreign body (odds ratio = 0.32; 95% confidence interval = 0.09-0.92) was a protective factor of perforation. Glucose level was not observed to have an association among patients with or without perforation.

Conclusions

Diabetes and duration of foreign body retention increase risk for esophageal foreign bodies complicated by perforation, and cases with elevated armpit temperature may represented a more likely perforation compared with those without fever.

Small bowel perforation by toothpick

Toothpick ingestion is a rare but potentially fatal condition which may cause bowel perforation and rare complications if it migrates out of the gastrointestinal tract. This case report describes a delayed presentation of toothpick-induced small bowel injury leading to abdominal wall abscess and spondylodiscitis. A 51-year-old man was admitted twice with fever and loin pain, but repeated non-contrast CT was reported to be unremarkable. However, 5 months later, he presented with a left lower quadrant abdominal wall abscess and back pain. An updated CT showed a linear hyperdensity which was already present in previous scans, causing small bowel perforation, abdominal wall abscess and spondylodiscitis. Emergency laparotomy identified a toothpick causing small bowel perforation. The abdominal wall abscess was incised and drained, and small bowel was repaired.

Implants induce a new niche for microbiomes

Although much work is being done to develop new treatments, research and knowledge regarding factors underlying implant-related microbial colonization leading to infection are less comprehensive. Presence of microorganisms in and around implants clinically characterized as uninfected remains unknown. The objective of this study was to detect and identify bacteria and fungi on implants from various groups of patients with no prior indications of implant related infections. Patient samples (implants and tissue) were collected from five different hospitals in the Capital region of Denmark. By in-depth microbiological detection methods, we examined the prevalence of bacteria and fungi on 106 clinically uninfected implants from four patient groups (aseptic loosening, healed fractures, craniofacial complications and recently deceased). Of 106 clinically uninfected implants and 39 negative controls investigated, 66% were colonized by bacteria and 40% were colonized by fungi (p < 0.0001 compared to negative controls). A large number of microbes were found to colonize the implants, however, the most prevalent microbes present were not common aetiological agents of implant infections. The findings indicate that implants provide a distinct niche for microbial colonization. These data have broad implications for medical implant recipients, as well as for supporting the idea that the presence of foreign objects in the body alters the human microbiome by providing new colonization niches.

Is Penicillin Plus Gentamicin Synergistic Against Sessile Group B Streptococcal Isolates? An in Vivo Study With an Experimental Model of Foreign-Body Infection

The rate of invasive group B Streptococcus (GBS) infections is steadily increasing, particularly in older persons and in adults with diabetes and other comorbidities. This population includes persons with a foreign body (e.g., who have undergone arthroplasty). In a rat tissue cage model, we evaluated the efficacy of adjunctive gentamicin (GEN) administered systemically (5 mg/kg body weight) every 24 h, or locally (12.5 mg/L tissue cage concentration) every 24 or 72 h, in combination with penicillin (PEN) administered systemically (250,000 IU/kg body weight three times per day). The efficacy was evaluated on two different sessile forms of GBS: transition (i.e., in between planktonic and biofilm) and biofilm. After 3 days of treatment, the mean bacterial load reduction of transition-form GBS was greater in all PEN-GEN combination groups than in the PEN monotherapy group (P ≤ 0.03). The 6-day regimen decreased the bacterial load significantly in comparison to the 3-day regimen, irrespective of growth form and adjunctive GEN (P < 0.01). After 6 days of treatment, the mean reduction in transition-form GBS was greater with PEN plus GEN administered locally every 24 h than with PEN monotherapy (P = 0.03). These results were not confirmed with biofilm GBS. The difference in mean bacterial load reduction between all PEN-GEN and PEN monotherapy groups was <100 CFU/mL. Hence, synergy criteria were not fulfilled. Adjunctive systemic GEN consists of potential side effects and showed poor efficacy in this study. Combining systemic PEN and local GEN has a potential application in the treatment of streptococcal implant-associated infections.

Reactive oral lesions associated with dental implants. A systematic review

Reactive lesion formation around dental implants a complication that has been given much consideration. These lesions can lead to marginal bone loss, and consequently, implant failure. In the present systematic review, all reported reactive lesions associated with dental implants in the literature were assessed. An electronic search was performed using PubMed Central, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Science Direct. The search strategy was limited to human studies (case reports and case series), full-text English language articles, published until May 2017. A total of 19 articles reporting 27 lesions in 25 cases were included. Peripheral giant cell granuloma and pyogenic granuloma were the most reactive lesions found around dental implants. The mean age of the patients was 51.28 ± 14.48 years, with a slight female predilection. Posterior mandibular gingiva was the most common location for these lesions. The recurrence rate of lesions was 33.33%, and the chance of implant removal was 29.62%. Due to the clinical significance of these lesions, early histopathologic examination is recommended to exclude the presence of such pathological lesions.

Cervical Esophagotomy for Foreign Body Extraction: A Case Report and Extensive Literature Review of the Last 20 Years

BACKGROUND Voluntary and involuntary ingestion of foreign bodies is a common condition; in most cases they pass through the digestive tract, but sometimes they stop, creating emergency situations for the patient. We report a case of meat bolus with cartilaginous component impacted in the cervical esophagus, with a brief literature review. CASE REPORT A 64-year-old man came to our attention for retention in the cervical esophagus of a piece of meat accidentally swallowed during lunch. After a few attempts of endoscopic removal carried out previously in other hospitals, the patient has been treated by us with a cervical esophagotomy and removal of the foreign body, without any complications. We checked the database of PubMed, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library from January 2007 to January 2017 in order to verify the presence of randomized controlled trials, clinical trials, retrospective studies, and case series regarding the use of the cervical esophagotomy for the extraction of foreign bodies impacted in the esophagus. CONCLUSIONS The crucial point is to differentiate the cases that must be immediately treated from those requiring simple observation. Endoscopic treatment is definitely the first therapeutic option, but in case of failure of this approach, in our opinion, cervical esophagotomy could be a safe, easy, viable, durable approach for the extraction of foreign bodies impacted in the cervical esophagus. Our review does not have the purpose of providing definitive conclusions but is intended to represent a starting point for subsequent studies.

Rare foreign body in bladder: A case report

RATIONALE

The bladder is the most common site of foreign bodies in the urinary tract. Presenting complaints in patients with a foreign body are urinary retention, dysuria, frequent urination, decreased urine volume, nocturia, hematuria, painful erection, as well as pain in the urethra and pelvis.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 50-year-old married male presented with complaints of severe lower abdominal pain and dysuria.

DIAGNOSES

A plain radiograph of the pelvis showed a metallic dense foreign body that was composed of many small magnetic balls in the pelvic region.

INTERVENTIONS

The foreign body was removed under cystoscopy, and 67 magnetic balls were detected without any surgical or postsurgical complications.

OUTCOMES

During operation, A cystoscopic examination confirmed no residue.

LESSONS

The bladder is the most common site of a foreign body in the urinary tract.Most intravesical foreign bodies can be removed transurethrally and with minimum access. The best mode of management depends on the nature of the foreign body, lodged site, expertise of the surgeon, and available instruments.

ENT Foreign Bodies: An Experience

Introduction  Ear, nose and throat (ENT) foreign bodies (FBs) are common occurrences, particularly among children. The proper recognition, study, and management of FBs are required to prevent complications. Their consequences are greatly variable, from mild disturbances that may not require hospitalization up to life-threatening complications. Objective  To analyze the clinical spectrum of ENT FBs, the methods of removal, the outcomes and complications as seen in a tertiary referral hospital. Methods  This hospital-based cross-sectional retrospective study was performed from July 2014 to June 2016. Patients with any type of ENT FBs, regardless of age, were included in the study; data was collected from 1,013 patients (572 males and 440 females) with a mean age of 12.5 years. Results  Foreign bodies represented a large category among ENT emergencies (30%). Children were affected more frequently, particularly ≤ 6 years old. Swallowed FBs were the most common (53.6%), followed by aural FBs (24.68%), nasal FBs (19%), and inhaled FBs (2.6%). A total of 54.69% of ENT s were removed under general anesthesia (GA). Conclusion  Foreign bodies (FB) in the ears, nose or throat are a common occurrence in otorhinolaryngology (ENT) emergency services. Children are the most affected age group. The commonest site of FB lodgment is in the throat. Ear, nose and throat FBs need to be properly managed to avoid complications.

Nonthrombotic Pulmonary Embolism From Inorganic Particulate Matter and Foreign Bodies

Nonthrombotic pulmonary embolism (NTPE) is a complete or partial occlusion of the pulmonary vasculature by various organic and inorganic materials. These materials include organic particulate matter (PM) such as adipocytes, tumor cells, bacteria, fungi, or gas and inorganic PM. Although NTPE due to organic PM has been extensively reported in the medical literature, there are no comprehensive reviews of inorganic material embolizing to the lungs. The purpose of this article is to examine the current literature describing NTPE resulting from inorganic PM and foreign bodies. Cases of NTPE are uncommon and often difficult to diagnose. The diagnosis is challenging due to its varied presentation, clinical features, and unusual radiologic features. In contrast to the "classic" pulmonary thromboembolism, the pathophysiologic effects of embolism by PM are not only mechanical but also a consequence of the nature of the offending material. NTPE caused by these substances can be relatively innocuous, life-threatening, or lead to chronic pulmonary disease, if left undetected. We hope that the heightened sense of awareness of this entity may allow earlier diagnosis and recognition of its complications.

[Foreign body in the esophagus as a cause of respiratory symptoms in children. Clinical cases]

Foreign bodies in esophagus are avoidable accidents that occur most often in children younger than 3 years. The most common presenting symptoms are dysphagia, drooling and vomiting. Occasionally a foreign body in the esophagus may present with respiratory symptoms such as cough, stridor and respiratory distress. This is more common in young children and when the object remains lodged in the esophagus for a prolonged period. Clinical suspicion is essential for early diagnosis, which allows to avoid potential complications. We describe 3 children with a foreign body impacted in the esophagus who presented mainly respiratory symptoms. We alert pediatricians on symptomatic variation in the presentation of a foreign body ingestion and we underline the importance of early diagnosis and treatment.

Importance of Second-look Endoscopy on an Empty Stomach for Finding Gastric Bezoars in Patients with Gastric Ulcers

　Most gastric bezoars can be treated with endoscopic fragmentation combined with or without cola dissolution, whereas laparotomy or laparoscopic surgery is generally inevitable for small intestinal bezoars because they cause small bowel obstruction. Therefore, early diagnosis and management of gastric bezoars are necessary to prevent bezoar-induced ileus. To investigate the incidence of overlooked gastric bezoars during the initial esophagogastroduodenoscopy, we retrospectively reviewed the cases of 27 patients diagnosed with gastrointestinal bezoars. The bezoars were diagnosed using esophagogastroduodenoscopy (n=25), abdominal ultrasonography (n=1), and barium follow-through examination (n=1). Bezoars were overlooked in 9/25 patients (36.0%) during the initial endoscopy examination because the bezoars were covered with debris in the stomach. Of the 9 patients, 8 had concomitant gastric ulcers, and the other patient had gastric lymphoma. Although a computed tomography (CT) scan was performed before the second-look endoscopy in 8 of the 9 patients, the bezoars were mistaken as food debris on CT findings and were overlooked in these patients. In conclusion, gastric bezoars may not be discovered during the initial esophagogastroduodenoscopy and CT scan. In cases with debris in the stomach, second-look endoscopy is essential to detect bezoars.

Foreign Body-Related Extremity Trauma in Children: A Single-Center Experience

The extremity foreign body in a child has propensity of getting missed or mistaken diagnosis. We report our experience of extremity foreign body trauma in order to increase awareness of this disease entity. The retrospective series of 24 retained foreign bodies was based on a 10-year chart review of emergency data (ICD code Z18). Patients with both upper and lower limb affections were included. Patients with ocular, otolaryngeal, tracheobronchial, gastrointestinal, and axial foreign bodies were excluded from the study. Male predominance (M:F = 20:4), young patient age (mean 6.8 years), variable lag period for consultation (range 3 h-8 years), and majority lower limb affection (58%; foot [7; 29%] and knee [5; 20.8%]) were some characteristics of extremity foreign bodies trauma. The foreign bodies reported were metallic needle (7; 29%), rubber band (3; 12.5%), pellets (3; 12.5%), bangle glass (2; 8%), glass pieces (2; 8%) "dhaga," wooden twig, wooden thorn, ceramic earthen pot pieces, stapler pin, broomstick, and cracker piece in one case each (1; 4%). Postremoval, the wound healing was uneventful in all patients. Foreign body-related extremity trauma in children is a rare event. It has its own set of characteristics and differential diagnosis. Familiarity with the regional practices and customs is must to establish the circumstances/nature of the foreign body injury. The foreign body should preferably be removed in a well-equipped setting.

Popularity and Harms of Aural Foreign Bodies: A Descriptive Study of Patients in Baqiyatallah University Hospital, Tehran, Iran

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the prevalence of external ear complications among Iranian aural foreign body users attending to otolaryngology clinic of our hospital.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional study patients attending to Otolaryngology clinics of Baqiyatallah hospital were enrolled regardless of their age, gender and reason of attending. Patients between 15 and 60 years of age were included in the present study. Those with positive history of chronic ear diseases, ear surgery, congenital ear disorders, trauma to ear or head and neck region or shock wave trauma were excluded from the study. Demographic information as well as data on chief complaint, educational level, frequency and type of used foreign body and findings of physical examination and Otoscopy by a single otolaryngologist were recorded in a predesigned checklist.

RESULTS

Eventually 362 patients (232 male and 130 female) with a mean age of 40.32 ± 16.90 years underwent analysis. Of all patients 244 (67.2%) were using a kind of aural foreign body frequently and Cotton bud was the most popular (63.5%) used foreign body among patients. Drying ear canal was the most common (54.9%) reason of using AFBs among study individuals followed by itching (29.5%) and pyorrhea (11.06%). Also 11 (4.5%) patients were using AFBs as a habit with no specific reason. Itching was the most prevalent symptom reported by both aural foreign body users (78%) and non-users (45.5%); however it was significantly higher among AFB users (p = 0.026). Also hearing loss was significantly more reported by AFB users (p = 0.033). A majority of patients had normal physical examination in both AFB users and non-users group. Inflammation of ear canal was significantly more detected in AFB users (p = 0.004). In addition, rate of right ear wax impaction was higher among AFB users (p = 0.016).

CONCLUSION

In conclusion we realized that 67.2% of patients attending to Otolaryngology clinic of our hospital were using a kind of aural foreign bodies and itching was the most common chief complaint of these patients.

An Unusual Foreign Body in the Heart: A Case Report

Penetrating foreign bodies in the heart is rare and may lead to life-threatening complications. Early diagnosis and removal are crucial for these rare cases. We report a case of accidental penetrating sewing needle in the right ventricle. The needle was successfully removed without open heart surgery and cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), after accurate localization using transthoracic echocardiography (TTE).

An All-Zirconia Crown Discovered 2 Years Following Aspiration

Accidental aspiration or ingestion can occur in dental treatment, as most procedures are performed with the patient in a supine position or semi-recumbent position. Aspiration of foreign bodies commonly causes acute symptoms such as violent coughing, choking, and dyspnea; however, if foreign bodies are stuck distally to the lower lobe bronchi or the bronchus intermedius, acute presentation can be rare. This clinical report documents a 68-year-old male patient who accidentally aspirated an all-zirconia crown during the try-in procedure. The case was initially surmised as ingestion. The crown remained in the lower lobe of the left lung for about 2 years without any significant symptoms. This report cautions the importance of airway protection during dental procedures.

Endoscopic management of foreign bodies in the upper gastrointestinal tract: a retrospective study of 1294 cases

OBJECTIVE

To report our endoscopic outcomes and explore the effects of duration of impaction and anesthetic methods on the endoscopic removal of foreign bodies in the upper gastrointestinal tract.

METHODS

All consecutive patients with suspected foreign body (FB) ingestion between January 2013 and June 2016 were enrolled. Demographic, clinical and endoscopic data were collected and analyzed.

RESULTS

A total of 1294 patients aged seven months to 94 years were enrolled. Odynophagia (415 cases, 32.1%), FB sensation (340 cases, 26.3%) and sore throat (267 cases, 20.1%) were the most frequent complaints. The duration of FB impaction ranged from 4 h to over two years. Anatomically, foreign bodies were most commonly located in the esophagus (n = 1025, 86.9%). Bony foreign bodies comprised the majority of identified foreign bodies. The most common underlying pathology was esophageal stricture (38 cases, 53.5%). Nearly half of the patients (49.9%) developed complications. As the duration of impaction increased, the success rate by endoscopy decreased (p < .001), and the complication rate increased (p < .001). Endoscopic management under general anesthesia didn't improve the success rate or lower the complication rate compared with topical pharyngeal anesthesia (p = .793 and p = .085). Age ≥60, duration of impaction longer than one day, impaction in the esophagus, and sharp foreign bodies were identified as risk factors for complications.

CONCLUSIONS

Delayed flexible endoscopy in patients, especially elderly patients, with sharp FB impactions in the esophagus results in worse endoscopic outcomes. Endoscopic management under general anesthesia did not improve the therapeutic results compared with topical pharyngeal anesthesia.