Sonographic Diagnosis of a Foreign Body in the Suprahyoid Muscles

Introduction

Foreign bodies that are mistakenly swallowed are a common emergent situation in clinical practice. There are diverse types of foreign bodies, such as fishbones, chicken bones, and toothpicks (Jahshan F et al. Laryngoscope 2018; 128: 2467–2472). Foreign bodies can be stuck in various parts of the digestive tract. They may cause symptoms or no symptoms depending on where they get stuck. There may be mild to serious complications such as infection, esophageal perforation, liver abscess, mediastinitis, and even death (Kanazawa S et al. Surg Today 2003; 33: 312–314). This suggests the importance of rapid and precise diagnosis, with ultrasound possibly being a helpful noninvasive preoperative diagnostic tool. In this case report, we present a 34-year-old man with crab shell penetration in the suprahyoid muscles diagnosed by ultrasound.

Publication History

Article published online:
31 May 2021