A Case of Parapharyngeal Foreign Bodies Causing Explosion of Polyurethane Foam in Oral Cavity / 대한이비인후과학회지

ABSTRACT

Foreign bodies in the upper digestive tract are frequently encountered accidental cases in otolaryngologic fields. Oropharyngeal foreign bodies consisting of polyurethane foam have never been reported. Moreover, foreign bodies penetrating into the parapharyngeal space of neck are rare but when it does, it may also cause extensive neurovascular injuries. Polyurethanes are widely used in manufacturing industries but serious hazards of these materials have not been reported. In this article, we report a man who, presented with foreign bodies that entered as a result of an explosion of polyurethane foam in the oral cavity. The foreign body had entered into the parapharyngeal space, very close to the vertebral artery.