A Man’s Bone-Choking Incident: The Dangers of Not Seeking Medical Help for a Stuck Foreign Object in the Throat

A man in his 45s, Mr. Duc, experienced difficulty swallowing while eating rice and suspected that a bone was stuck in his throat. In an attempt to dislodge the bone with his tongue, he accidentally pierced himself with a piece of bone. After two weeks of discomfort and difficulty eating and drinking, Mr. Duc sought medical help at Tam Anh General Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City.

A throat endoscopy revealed that a foreign object was deeply embedded in the soft tissue at the tip of Mr. Duc’s tongue, causing swelling in the surrounding mucosa. Further investigation through ultrasound showed a long foreign object creating a pus pocket in the tongue. A minor surgery was performed to remove a 2cm long fish bone with a sharp tip, which had been stuck in Mr. Duc’s tongue for two weeks.

Dr. Nguyen Trung Nguyen, an ENT specialist, confirmed that Mr. Duc’s health was stable after the surgery and there were no complications of abscess or infection. Dr. Nguyen emphasized the importance of seeking medical help for foreign objects stuck in the throat as folk remedies could worsen the situation.

Foreign bodies getting stuck in the throat are common and can lead to complications if not promptly addressed. It is important to be cautious while eating foods that may cause choking, such as fish or fruits with seeds. If experiencing symptoms of choking on a foreign object, such as painful swallowing or difficulty swallowing, it is recommended to seek medical attention immediately