ABSTRACT
Background: Otorhinolaryngeal foreign bodies are common in ear; nose; and throat (ENT) practice. The objective of this study is to determine the pattern of otorhinolaryngeal foreign bodies in a Tertiary Health Institution in Sokoto; North-Western Nigeria. Materials and Methods: This is a 2 year retrospective study using the records of all cases of ENT foreign bodies at Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital; Sokoto; from January 2009 to December 2010. Data analysis was carried out using the SPSS for windows version 13.0. Results: A total of 90 cases were analysed. Ear foreign bodies 48 (53.3) were commonest; followed by nasal foreign bodies 16 (17.8); bronchial foreign bodies 15 (16.7); and esophageal foreign bodies 11 (12.2). Age range was 9 months to 64 years. High frequency of the foreign bodies was noted in the younger age group. The foreign bodies varied according to the site with plant seed being more common in the ear and the nose while meat bolus is more common in the esophagus. Bronchial foreign bodies were seen exclusively in children less than 14 years old with beads and valve of plastic toys being the most common. Conclusion: Otorhinolaryngeal foreign bodies remain frequent occurrence particularly in the younger age group 9 years old or less and high index of suspicion suggested and early intervention to prevent the morbidity and mortality from complications