neglected foreign body in the nasopharynx

ABSTRACT

Foreign bodies of upper aerodigestive tract in young children are frequently encountered by ENT specialists due to their peculiar habit of putting objects in their mouth. We report a case of foreign body nasopharynx that remained undiagnosed for a long time despite multiple visits to general and ENT OPD's with complaints of complete nasal obstruction and history of foreign body ingestion by a child. A radio-opaque foreign body of the nasopharynx was revealed on X-ray and removed per orally under general anaesthesia resulting in complete resolution of symptoms. The physician must have a high index of suspicion, particularly for persistent symptoms and necessitates further investigation before making diagnosis of a case of rhinosinusitis or empirically prescribing antibiotics