An unusual presentation of foreign body superior mediastinum: a case report

Abstract

Foreign body in the superior mediastinum following a fall on a box is uncommon. We present a 27 years old woman with history of fall on a box containing embroidery needles 3 years ago. Chest Xray and fluoroscopy revealed two needles; one at the left parasternal subcutaneous plane was removed and advised removal of the second needle at the superior mediastinum. She defaulted and came after a recent trivial chest injury. After confirmation, by thoracotomy, a rusted needle (of 1 in. size) embedded between the trachea and superior vena cava was removed. The longer asymptomatic period and the migration of the needle from anterior to posterior chest without injuring vital structures is a rarity.

An unusual self-inserted foreign body in the mediastinum and its management: a case report

“…[1][2][3]5,7] Common examinations used to confirm the final diagnosis are chest X-rays, chest CTs, bronchoscopies, and esophagoscopies. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8] In cases involving foreign mediastinal bodies, one of the most frequent complications is migration. Sivaraman et al [8] reported the case of a 27-year-old woman who was diagnosed with a needle in the superior mediastinum that was caused by falling on a box of needles.…”

“…[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8] In cases involving foreign mediastinal bodies, one of the most frequent complications is migration. Sivaraman et al [8] reported the case of a 27-year-old woman who was diagnosed with a needle in the superior mediastinum that was caused by falling on a box of needles. She did not agree to have surgery because of a lack of symptoms.…”

“…can be performed. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8] Swan et al [1] reported the successful treatment of a perforating fish bone which was presenting with odynophagia and retrosternal pain. In that case, both endoscopic removal and repair of the mucosal defects were performed during the same procedure.…”

“…If the foreign body is removable via the esophagus, an endoscopic approach may be preferable, [1] but if the object has migrated to the mediastinum, then a thoracoscopy, thoracotomy, or mediastinoscopy is usually performed. [2][3][4][5]8] In this article, we report the successful removal of a large, self-inserted foreign body via left cervical access in a schizophrenic female patient.…”