Extraluminal migration of swallowed foreign body into the neck - Case report

Extraluminal migration of swallowed foreign body is rare. Only a few cases were reported in the literature. We present a case of extraluminal migration of a swallowed fish bone into the neck in March 1998. A 88-year- old female was referred to our Emergent Department with the complaint of odynophagia and dysphagia after eating the fish 2 weeks ago. A detail examination did not show any evidence of foreign body in the pharynx. But a linear mass was palpable under the skin of the anterior neck. Esophagoscopy was performed and the mucosa of hypopharynx and esophagus was found to be intact without even a small laceration. So neck exploration was performed under the general anesthesia. A 2 cm long fish bone was found and pulled out gently. The postoperative period was uneventful.