Int Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2014; 18 - a2107
DOI: 10.1055/s-0034-1388849

Case Report: Curious Esophageal Foreign Body in Elderly with Late Diagnosis

Paulo Tinoco 1, Aline Araujo Saraiva 1, Elisa Siqueira Tinoco 1, Lara Bonani de Almeida Brito 1, Marina Bandoli de Oliveira Tinoco 1, Pilar Campos Saavedra 1
  • 1Hospital São José do Avaí

Introduction: Foreign bodies in the esophagus are common, with most found in the extremes of life: in children with the habit of putting objects in the mouth and in the elderly by the use of dental prostheses. The objects can be coins or batteries. The clinical manifestation is dysphagia, odynophagia, sialorrhoea, coughing, or dyspnea. The diagnosis carried out by history, x-ray, and esophagoscopy, and the most common complications are mediastinitis and perforation.

Objective: Report a curious case of esophageal foreign body in elderly, with late diagnosis in case of a 70-year-old resident of Itaperuna. Patient reported that 15 days ago after taking a pill she developed sore throat, dysphagia and drooling, and sought otolaryngology service where a laryngoscopy and endoscopy without alteration were held. The doctor began treatment with corticosteroids and antibiotics. No clinical improvement was observed and patient with odynophagia important and worsening of general condition. Parenteral nutrition was initiated and a CT scan of the neck carried out that evidenced different density material into the esophagus. Patient was referred to the Hospital São José do Avaí (HSJA) otolaryngology service. She was taken to surgical center and extraction of the foreign body with rigid esophagoscopy was carried out. The removed material was the anti-mold packing of medicine of approximately 2 cm. Patient showed clinical improvement in the immediate postoperative period. He was discharged after 2 days without complications.

Conclusion: Foreign bodies in the esophagus are common, with most found in the extremes of life. It is vital to attend to patient complaints and correct treatment given to prevent complications. Patient’s health developed satisfactorily without complications and is an outpatient.