Chicken bone (fibula) perforation of the pharynx

Case contributed by Chris O'Donnell
Diagnosis almost certain

Presentation

Eating chicken dinner, now severe pain in throat with feeling of a "foreign body"

Patient Data

Age: 65 years
Gender: Male

Gross prevertebral free gas, no definite foreign body

Sharp tapered end of a 4.5 cm long chicken bone (fibula) perforating through the posterior pharyngeal wall leading to free gas. Note the absence of lower dentition meaning that the chicken leg was not adequately masticated prior to swallowing!

Case Discussion

CT performed without IV contrast will help detect foreign bodies, as IV contrast can potentially obscure small foreign bodies. 

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