What's the Diagnosis? By Dr. Sarab Sodhi

Diagnosis: Fishbone lodged in oropharynx

  • A patient's presentation is typically as above, well appearing with a feeling of something being stuck after eating a meal.
  • Plain films are typical the initial imaging choice (sensitivity around 35%) while CT has a sensitivity of 95% for bones
  • Plain films have lower sensitivity for organic matter, if available ultrasound can be used.  
  • Treatment is usually endoscopy for removal with admission for observation in certain cases

References:

  1. http://radiopaedia.org/articles/ingested-bones
  2. Knght LC, Lesser TH. Fish bones in the throat. Arch Emerg Med. 1989;6 (1): 13-6
  3. Goh BK, Tan YM, Lin SE et-al. CT in the preoperative diagnosis of fish bone perforation of the gastrointestinal tract. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2006;187 (3): 710-4.