Overlooked nasal foreign body with a 48-year latent period

Abstract

Foreign bodies of the nose are relatively frequent in pediatric population, while in the adults, they are usually seen in disturbed persons. Overlooked nasal foreign bodies may be singled out as a special entity. They become rhinolites over time with latent period of several decades. Our paper illustrates an overlooked foreign body in the nose--i.e. encrusted plastic bead which, after the asymptomatic period of 48 years, induced the unilateral mucopurulent and ichorous secretion from the nose. Rhinolite should be suspected if radiological diagnostics detected calcified mass in the nose together with unilateral nasal symptomatology. Surgical removal of rhinolite results in complete management of such problem. This case indicates the significance of medical history data and examination of nasal cavity in any adult patient with unilateral nasal symptomatology which is refractory to conservative treatment. Computerized tomography of paranasal sinuses is an important adjunct diagnostic tool in indefinite cases. Nevertheless, it often happens that only the extraction of rhinolite indicates the diagnosis that is not usually suspected in adult persons.

“Visual Hook” for the removal of nasal foreign body – Case report

“…This pathology is seen more in the age group of 4-8yrs 5 . The most common foreign bodies include beans, safety pins, nuts, coins, rubber erasers, paper or beads 6,7 . They may lead to congestion, swelling or ulceration of the nasal mucosa, bony destruction and epistaxis, breathlessness, pain.…”

Neglected Nasal Foreign body discovered by Nasal Deformity: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

“…[1] On another hand, nasal foreign bodies in teenagers and adults are usually seen in mentally disturbed persons as in our case. [3] Globally, foreign bodies are classified as inanimate and animate or inorganic and organic. These last absorb the water from the surrounding tissue causing swelling of the mucosa, leading to mucosal erosions, ulceration, and epistaxis.…”

“…Neglected nasal foreign bodies may be sorted out as a special entity. [3] They tend to become encrusted with calcified material and become rhinolithes, [8] which often it is their extraction that indicates the diagnosis not usually suspected in adult persons. [3] They can also cause nasomaxillary abnormalities in the growing children and nasal deformities as in our case.…”

“…[3] They tend to become encrusted with calcified material and become rhinolithes, [8] which often it is their extraction that indicates the diagnosis not usually suspected in adult persons. [3] They can also cause nasomaxillary abnormalities in the growing children and nasal deformities as in our case. [6] Nasal foreign bodies are usually located in the floor of the inferior turbinate or anterior to the middle turbinate.…”

“…[1] A rhinolite should be suspected if radiological exploration detects calcified mass in the nose together with chronic unilateral nasal symptomatology. [3] Removal of nasal foreign bodies requires direct visualization and extraction using instrumentation. The object can be pulled directly out using alligators as in the case of paper or sponge material.…”