Two cases of extraluminal migration of fishbones into the thyroid gland and submandibular gland

Ear Nose Throat J. 2022 Apr 29:1455613221098787. doi: 10.1177/01455613221098787. Online ahead of print.

Abstract

Laryngopharyngeal or cervical pain following ingestion of foreign bodies is one of the most frequently encountered emergencies in otolaryngologic practice. Although most of these foreign bodies can be easily removed under laryngoscopic examination without any complications, surgical removal may be required when foreign bodies migrate extraluminally. This report describes two rare cases of ingested fishbones that had migrated, one each to the thyroid gland and submandibular gland. Extraluminal migration fishbones should always be considered in otolaryngologic clinics.

Keywords: Extraluminal migration; head and neck; ingestion of fishbones; surgical removal.