CLINICAL VIDEO
TITLE: Endoscopic sinus surgery for foreign body extraction in an adult
patient
Cardella A1,2, Preti A1,3, Gera
R1, Ottaviani F1,2, Mozzanica
F1,2
1 Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Ospedale San Giuseppe IRCCS
Multimedica, Milan, Italy
2 Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of
Milan, Milan, Italy
3 Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Insubria, Varese,
Italy
Corresponding author
Cardella Arianna, MD
Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of
Milan, Milan, Italy
Via San Vittore 12, Milan, Italy
Email: arianna.cardella@unimi.it
Telephone: +39 0285994471
ABSTRACT
The management of an unusual nasal foreign body is illustrated. A
34-year-old male presented to our outpatient clinic after inhalation of
liquid cast during preparation of a plaster mask. The foreign body had
solidified within the nasal cavities, causing obstruction and headache.
Ambulatory removal was incomplete, therefore ESS was indicated.
KEY CLINICAL MESSAGE
Foreign bodies are an unusual indication for endoscopic sinus surgery.
Whenever their extraction is not possible in the outpatient setting and
acute sinusitis ensues, thorough exploration and extended dissection
under general anesthesia should be taken into consideration in order to
clear the nasal cavities.
KEYWORDS
Nasal foreign body – ESS - endoscopic sinus surgery
TEXT
Nasal foreign bodies are extremely common in the pediatric population
while being an infrequent presentation for adults [1]. They are a
predisposing factor for acute bacterial rhinosinusitis [2] and
management of such infection cannot overlook the complete removal of the
foreign body.
We illustrate the case of a 34-year-old male who developed nasal
obstruction, headache and purulent rhinorrhea following the inhalation
of liquid cast during preparation of a plaster mask. Complete ambulatory
removal of the solidified cast was not possible, prompting a thorough
dissection through endoscopic sinus surgery in order to clear all debris
and explore the paranasal cavities.