Introduction:
Penetration injury to the neck constitutes 5-10% of all trauma cases. Penetration of a foreign body into the trachea with subsequent impaction into the tracheoesophageal party wall is extremely rare. We present a patient with an unusual penetrating injury of the neck caused by a metallic foreign body embedded into the tracheoesophageal party wall, and its management.
Case report:
A 35-year-old male presented to the emergency department with a history of accidental penetrating injury on his neck, with severe pain and bleeding from the wound entry site. On neck examination, there was an open wound, 0.5 × 0.5 cm in size, in the lower-third anterior aspect of the neck with surrounding neck swelling and tenderness. Computed tomography showed a radio-dense foreign body lodged in the tracheoesophageal party wall at the level of the second and third tracheal rings, which was removed successfully.
Conclusion:
Impacted foreign body following a penetrating wound in the neck needs considerable assessment and appropriate management.