Foreign body in esophagus - razor blade

Case contributed by Ali Nourian
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

A psychotic patient presented with mouth bleeding and the nurse says that the patient had ingested something

Patient Data

Age: 30 years
Gender: Male

There is a radiopaque density (razor blade) at level ~T3-T4 in the esophagus.

Fortunately there are no signs of pneumothorax or pneumomediastinum.

Case Discussion

Esophageal foreign body impaction in an adult is usually caused by an excessive bolus of food or from impaction of an ingested bone. Bones mostly lodge in the pharynx near the cricopharyngeus.

Ingestion of a razor blade, as in this case, in an adult is rare.

Plain radiography, barium study, and CT are useful for evaluation of an esophageal foreign body.

How to use cases

You can use Radiopaedia cases in a variety of ways to help you learn and teach.

Creating your own cases is easy.