The Role of Ultrasound in a Radiolucent Ingested Fish Bone: A Case Report
Ketan Vadhavania, London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust
Background
A 56-year-old man presented to A&E two weeks after the ingestion of a fish bone with throat pain, swelling and feeling systemically unwell. He underwent a CT neck and chest which did not demonstrate any radiopaque FB but did show an infrahyoid collection, inseparable from the left thyroid lobe. An ultrasound performed at the time also did not demonstrate a FB, but showed a large organised collection within the thyroid, and suppurative thyroiditis was confirmed on cytology.
Management
The patient was managed conservatively and improved; however a follow-up ultrasound demonstrated a linear hyperechoic lesion within the left thyroid lobe, thought to be a fish bone. A fish bone sitting on top of the left thyroid lobe adjacent to the left vagus nerve was confirmed during surgery