Application of point-of-care ultrasound for different types of esophageal foreign bodies: three case reports: A CARE-compliant article

Point-of-Care Ultrasound for an Esophageal Foreign Body

BACKGROUND

Press-through packs (PTPs) are widely used for storing drugs. The number of cases involving improper swallowing and esophageal foreign bodies (EFBs) has increased with the increasing use of PTPs. Studies have reported the utility of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) for evaluating EFBs. The application of POCUS for esophageal PTPs has not been reported.

CASE REPORT

An 83-year-old woman complaining of neck pain and odynophagia that occurred after improperly swallowing 2 PTPs was admitted to the emergency department. EFBs were suspected, and POCUS revealed a hyperechoic material, suggestive of a PTP, in the cervical esophagus. Endoscopy was immediately performed, and the PTPs were successfully removed without complications. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: This study was significant because it documented the application of POCUS to detect esophageal PTPs. POCUS is a simple and noninvasive technique for identifying EFBs without radiation exposure. © 2022 Elsevier Inc.

A man with difficulty dysphagia

A 50-year-old man with history of type II diabetic mellitus attended the emergency department with persistent foreign body sensation after swallowing a drug pill. He also had mild odynophagia. Tracing his history, it was found that he had progressive dysphagia in previous 2 months. There was no coughing or choking immediately after swallowing the pill and speech quality was normal. He denied weight loss in last 6 months. On physical examination, no palpable mass or thyroid goiter was noted. Laboratory data were in acceptable range. A point-of-care ultrasound with a linear probe over the patient’s neck was done. Later, computed tomography was done for confirming the diagnosis.