Cleft palate secondary to an ingested foreign body: A learning experience

Abstract

Background: Cleft palate has usually been described as a congenital anomaly. Acquired clefting of the palate is rare and is usually due to penetrating trauma. Objective: To report a case of cleft palate developing after ingestion of a coin due to prolonged impaction in the nasopharynx. Case Report: A 4-year-old child presented with nasal regurgitation and nasal twang of voice. The parents reported a history of ingestion of a coin 2 years prior, which was undetectable on neck and chest X-ray study done at that time. Examination revealed a triangular cleft of soft palate. A diagnosis was made of an acquired cleft palate secondary to prolonged impaction of the coin in the nasopharynx. Under general anesthesia, the palatal defect was repaired in three layers. Conclusion: The case highlights the fact that ingested foreign bodies can get lodged in the nasopharynx and that nasopharynx X-ray study should always be done in cases of a disappearing foreign body in the aerodigestive tract.