PMC5736938_01
Chest X-ray showing a curvilinear metallic object overlying the upper mediastinum.
CRIGM2017-5468131.001.jpg
PMC5736938_01_CRIGM2017-5468131.001.jpg
fig1
A chest X-ray (Figure 1) showed a curvilinear metallic object overlying the upper mediastinum.
CT of the chest abdomen and pelvis showing metallic foreign body lodged in the upper esophagus without evidence of perforation.
CRIGM2017-5468131.002.jpg
PMC5736938_01_CRIGM2017-5468131.002.jpg
fig2
The patient subsequently had a CT of the chest abdomen and pelvis which showed that the metallic foreign body was indeed lodged in the upper esophagus without evidence of perforation (Figure 2).
Metallic spring deployed in the upper thoracic esophagus 21 cm from the incisors.
CRIGM2017-5468131.003.jpg
PMC5736938_01_CRIGM2017-5468131.003.jpg
fig3
Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) was performed and revealed that the toilet paper wrapping that allowed for swallowing of the metallic spring had dissolved, causing the spring to deploy in the upper thoracic esophagus (like a spring-loaded trap) 21 cm from the incisors (Figure 3).
Metallic spring excised by cervical esophagotomy.
CRIGM2017-5468131.004.jpg
PMC5736938_01_CRIGM2017-5468131.004.jpg
fig4
Surgery was consulted and the metallic spring (Figure 4) was removed from the upper thoracic esophagus via cervical esophagotomy.