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Rare living hypopharyngeal foreign body
Author(s) -
Kuehnemund Matthias,
Bootz Friedrich
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
head and neck
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.012
H-Index - 127
eISSN - 1097-0347
pISSN - 1043-3074
DOI - 10.1002/hed.20471
Subject(s) - leech , foreign body , medicine , dysphagia , larynx , melena , surgery , head and neck , world wide web , computer science
Abstract Background. This is a case report about a rare hypopharyngeal foreign body causing dysphagia, dyspnea, and hemoptysis as well as melena: an ingested leech. The patient was in this condition for more than 1 week. Methods. The ingested leech, attached to the right piriform fossa partially obstructing the larynx, had to be removed under general anesthesia. Results. After removal, no further symptoms occurred. The leech was identified as the species Theromyzon tessulatum . Conclusions. Human infestation of a leech in the upper aerodigestive tract is a very rare condition in urban areas. The current literature is reviewed and the diagnostic approach as well as therapeutic options are discussed. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2006