Pharyngeal foreign body in a child persisting for three years

Abstract

Foreign body ingestions are common in children. They can pose a diagnostic problem if the foreign body is embedded in the soft tissues of pharynx. A 4 year old girl presented with halitosis for two years. A pharyngeal foreign body, a metallic ring, was seen on lateral radiographs of the neck. The foreign body was removed under general anaesthesia. A completely embedded pharyngeal foreign body should be considered in cases presenting with halitosis.