Foreign Body, Throat

Presentation

Patients may present with the sensation of a foreign body (FB) stuck in their throat. They typically can still feel a sensation in the throat, especially (and perhaps painfully) when swallowing. They may be able to precisely localize the FB sensation above the thyroid cartilage (which implies the possibility of a FB in the hypopharynx that may be visible) or may only vaguely localize the sensation to the suprasternal notch (which could imply a FB anywhere in the esophagus).

Those with dentures, particularly full dentures, are more likely to swallow a bone because of reduced sensitivity and reduced ability to completely masticate. Fish bones, which are usually long, are commonly caught in the oropharynx, particularly at the region of the tonsils and the tonsillar pillars. Fish bones often may be grasped and extracted as long as they can be visualized.

A FB lodged in the tracheobronchial tree usually stimulates coughing and wheezing. Obstruction of the esophagus by a FB produces drooling and prevents the patient from swallowing secretions. An infant who refuses to eat or who has trouble handling buccal secretions should be evaluated for a FB.

This chapter refers to the care of the patient who has no evidence of airway involvement or esophageal obstruction.