Needle in the Haystack: Wire Bristle Foreign Body Presenting Deep Within the Tongue Base

Abstract

Objectives: To report a case of ingested wire bristle embedded within the extrinsic musculature of the tongue requiring a transcervical approach for removal and to provide a revised algorithm for the management of ingested wire bristles. Methods: The clinical record of 1 patient who ingested a grill brush wire bristle was reviewed. A literature review was also conducted to refine a treatment algorithm for managing ingested wire bristles. Results: We present a case of a 53-year-old male who accidentally ingested a grill brush wire bristle. After multiple unsuccessful endoscopic attempts at removal, the wire bristle migrated deep into the extrinsic musculature of the tongue, necessitating a transcervical approach for adequate visualization and retrieval. Conclusions: This is the first case reported of a wire bristle migrating deep into the tongue musculature that was successfully removed via a transcervical approach. Our proposed algorithm provides a comprehensive approach to the management of ingested wire bristles, specifically in cases where endoscopic retrieval is not feasible.