The commonest objects are coins in children, fish bones or meat in adults. All other forms of foreign bodies can be found in psychiatric patients.

Clinical Features

Pain in retrosternal area and/or in the back, dysphagia, pooling of saliva in the mouth, regurgitation of food, dyspnoea and hoarseness if there is laryngeal oedema from compression by the foreign body and localized tenderness in the lower part of the neck.

Investigations

Plain x-rays, anteroposterior and lateral views, may show opaque objects. Radiolucent objects are not seen on x-rays. However, an increase in the prevertebral soft tissue exceeding 1/3 of the anteroposterior distance of the patient's vertebral body is highly suggestive of the presence of a foreign body.

Management

Refer patient for oesophagoscopy and removal of the foreign body.