A shocking incident in Thailand, where a fish bone consumed by a woman pierced through her neck skin after two weeks, has sent a warning to the medical community. This case is not merely an ordinary foreign object sensation incident; it highlights the unpredictability and danger of the human body's foreign object processing.
Fish Bone Takes Bizarre Path…Pierces Neck Tissue and "Escapes"
According to Thai local media outlets, including the Bangkok Post, on the 22nd (local time), a woman in her 40s, identified as Ms. A from Phetchabun Province, felt a severe foreign object sensation in her throat while eating fish soup. Ms. A attempted common home remedies, such as swallowing more food or pressing with her fingers to remove it, but these actions unfortunately pushed the bone deeper. Afterward, Ms. A complained of pain inside her throat and visited a hospital, but the bone was not found at the time, and she was sent home with a diagnosis of "possible natural expulsion."
However, Ms. A's symptoms worsened over time. About two weeks later, Ms. A, suffering from a swollen neck, fever, and extreme pain, visited another hospital but still couldn't find a clear cause. A few days later, Ms. A discovered a white foreign object protruding from the outside of her neck skin. Surprisingly, it was the approximately 2cm-long fish bone she had swallowed two weeks prior. The bone had pierced through the internal neck tissue and protruded from the skin, and a CT scan confirmed it had completely penetrated the skin.
The doctor who removed the bone through emergency surgery expressed extreme shock, stating, "This is a bizarre case I've never encountered as a doctor." Normally, swallowed foreign objects are either naturally expelled through the digestive system, or in severe cases, they may perforate the esophagus and cause inflammation. However, it is extremely rare for them to pierce through the soft tissue of the neck and protrude from the skin like this. Fortunately, Ms. A is recovering without major complications, and her guardian shared this shocking case on social media, urging extreme caution when consuming fish. They particularly emphasized, "When a fish bone gets stuck in your throat, never try to force it down; seek medical attention immediately."
Swallowing Foreign Objects: Neglect Can Lead to Severe Complications
Swallowing foreign objects like fish bones occurs more frequently than one might think, and people often treat it lightly. However, neglecting it or attempting to remove it incorrectly can lead to severe complications.
The most common problem when a foreign object gets stuck in the esophagus is esophageal perforation. If a sharp foreign object pierces the esophageal wall, it can cause inflammation and infection, leading to esophagitis or mediastinitis. Mediastinitis is an inflammation that occurs in the mediastinum, where the heart, lungs, and major blood vessels are located, and it can lead to fatal outcomes such as sepsis or multiple organ failure.
Furthermore, if the foreign object moves out of the esophagus to surrounding organs, it can cause complications such as thoracic abscess, blood vessel damage, pericarditis, or pneumothorax. Rarely, as in Ms. A's case, it can pierce through the skin or damage specific organs like the thyroid gland. In 2021, a woman in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, complained of thyroid pain after swallowing a fish bone. A detailed CT scan revealed that an approximately 2.5cm sharp bone had pierced her left thyroid gland and damaged the tissue, requiring surgery to remove the damaged part.
Expert Advice: "Calmness" is Best When Swallowing a Foreign Object
Medical experts unanimously warn about how to deal with swallowing foreign objects like fish bones. The most important thing is to never try to forcefully remove them or swallow more food to push them down. Such actions can push the foreign object deeper or damage surrounding tissues, worsening the situation.
Otolaryngologists emphasize, "If you feel a foreign object in your throat, it's best to try coughing gently or swallowing saliva. If the foreign sensation persists or if you experience pain or difficulty breathing, you should visit a hospital emergency room without delay." At the hospital, an endoscopic examination can accurately determine the location and size of the foreign object, and a procedure can be performed to remove it safely. In some cases, surgical removal may be necessary.
Particular caution is needed for children, as foreign object ingestion accidents are even more frequent. Small toy parts or coins can also be dangerous, so always be vigilant, and if you suspect they have swallowed something, seek medical attention immediately.
This case in Thailand once again reminds us how unpredictable and severe the consequences of seemingly small daily accidents can be. It should serve as an opportunity to review the importance of caution when consuming fish, along with the correct initial response in case of a foreign object ingestion accident.
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