Removal of a bristle from a child's tongue base using intraoperative fluoroscopy

Summary 

We present an unusual case of a metallic barbecue brush bristle embedded in the oropharyngeal tissues of a healthy 11-year-old girl. The case is interesting because the foreign body was extremely tiny but very symptomatic, and required a specific intraoperative technique for removal. To date, this is the first reported case using intraoperative fluoroscopy radiography for the removal of a foreign body in the oropharynx of a pediatric patient. Current methods of removal and a protocol for successful removal are discussed.

Keywords: Foreign body, Fluoroscopy, Oropharynx, Pediatric