Toothbrush: A Report of an Unusual Foreign Body

Farahnak, Mohammad Reza; Araghi, Somayeh; Nikakhlagh, Soheila; Saki, Nader

doi:10.22038/ijorl.2015.4255

Toothbrush: A Report of an Unusual Foreign Body

Document Type : Case Report

Authors

Hearing & Speech Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran

10.22038/ijorl.2015.4255

Abstract

Introduction:
Ingestion of a foreign body is a common problem among all age groups. Most of the foreign bodies in the pharynx are usually lodged at the level of cricopharynx. The diagnosis is based on history, clinical, and radiological examination. Most foreign-body ingestions are accidental, but there may be contributory factors such as mental disorder, alcoholism, and prison incarceration. Toothbrush ingestion is uncommon and requires prompt medical attention.

Case Report:
In this article, a rare case of a toothbrush foreign body is presented. The ingestion was caused by a seizure and the toothbrush was removed through surgical management.

Conclusion:
An ingested toothbrush will not pass spontaneously. The best management is early endoscopy performed by a skilled surgeon. If this is unsuccessful, surgical management can be performed.

Keywords

Main Subjects

Head and Neck Surgery

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