Foreign Bodies in Ear, Nose, Throat and Maxillofacial Region: A Study on Their Clinical Profile and Complications

The clinical picture and treatment options of foreign bodies in ENT vary widely depending on the site of involvement. Our study was a comprehensive review of both luminal and extraluminal foreign bodies in Otorhinolaryngology. A hospital based cross-sectional retrospective study was conducted to study the foreign bodies in ear, nose, throat and maxillofacial region in terms of demography, various modes of entry, site of lodgement, clinical features, treatment modalities and complications. While majority of the previous studies have focused on objects entering through natural orifices of ear, nose and throat, our study was a comprehensive review of both luminal and extraluminal foreign bodies in otorhinolaryngology. It was a retrospective study of four years duration on patients who presented with foreign bodies in OPD and emergency ward. Relevant data were tabulated and clinical and radiological documentation of interesting case scenarios have been depicted. The commonest age group affected was 0–10 years with 111 (58.52%) out of 190 cases. The most common site was aerodigestive tract ( 40%), followed by ears (31%), nose (26%) and maxillofacial region (3%). Insects, vegetable seeds and coins were the most common FBs in ear, nose and throat respectively. Foreign bodies have shown seasonal, geographic, socioeconomic and occupational variations in their distribution. Patient’s age, type of foreign body, chance of migration to deeper tissue planes, failed unskilled removal attempts, delay in diagnosis and presence of comorbidities can complicate chances of removal.