Extraluminal migration of fish bone to the thyroid gland
Khairul Naimah Abdul Rashid1, Khairul Bariah Noh2, Abdul Mokhti Abdullah2, Irfan Mohamad1
Extraluminal migration of a foreign body in the oesophagus is rare. It can result in life-threatening complications as it can migrate anywhere causing injury to vital vessels and structures in the neck region. The patient’s outcome depends on prompt diagnosis and early intervention. We present a case of a 52-year-old female with a complaint of sharp pricking pain in her throat with a history of fish bone ingestion one-day prior. Direct laryngoscopy and oesophagoscopy failed to localise the foreign body and the symptoms persisted for 3 days. Computed tomography scan confirmed a foreign body located between the right carotid sheath and the right thyroid gland. We proceeded with neck exploration and successfully removed the foreign body. Multiple difficulties were encountered in localising the foreign body as its location differed from the one in the initial computed tomography scan.