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.