Case 3 - Esophageal Foreign Body

CT NECK WITH IV CONTRAST:
CLINICAL INDICATION: Foreign body body sensation in the throat with pain. Stated
history of swallowing pork chop bone.
TECHNIQUE: Multiple-row detector helical CT examination of the neck with IV
contrast. Sagittal and coronal reformations were generated. Informed written
consent was obtained prior to administration of nonionic intravenous contrast
material per standard departmental protocol.
COMPARISON: Swallowing study 9/5/2015.
FINDINGS:
The nasal cavity, nasopharynx, oral cavity, oropharynx, hypopharynx, larynx, and
included trachea demonstrate no masses or abnormal enhancement.
At the level the thoracic inlet, there is an irregular hyperdense foreign body
within the esophagus, which likely represents the stated history of a swallowed
bone. Significant associated wall thickening and inflammatory change of the
esophagus without mediastinal fluid or pneumomediastinum to suggest perforation
at this time.
No pathologically enlarged, necrotic, or otherwise abnormal lymph nodes.
Parotid and submandibular glands appear normal.
Thyroid gland is normal in size without focal abnormality.
Evaluation of the included portions of brain and orbits demonstrates no
abnormality.
Paranasal sinuses are predominantly clear.
Tympanomastoid cavities are unopacified.
There is normal intravascular enhancement.
Limited evaluation of the lung apices demonstrates no abnormality.
Multilevel degenerative disc disease, worst at C4-C5, C5-C6, C6-C7. Mild focal
kyphosis centered at C6-C7.
There is no abnormal enhancement.
IMPRESSION:
Irregular hyperdense foreign body within the esophagus, which likely represents
the stated history of a swallowed bone. Significant associated wall thickening
and inflammatory change of the esophagus without mediastinal fluid or
pneumomediastinum to suggest perforation at this time.