A Rare Case of Metallic Foreign Body in Parapharyngeal Space: Preoperative Imaging and Surgical Removal

Abstract

Parapharyngeal space is an infrequent site for foreign bodies to lodge. Presence of neurovascular structures in this space mandates immediate and meticulous removal of the foreign body to prevent any complications. In this case report, we present a rare case of metallic foreign body (sewing needle) in the parapharyngeal space that was removed using external approach without any complications after appropriate imaging (contrast-enhanced computed tomography). Only one case has been reported so far in the literature and ours is the second one.

Keywords

• computed tomography
• foreign body
• needle
• parapharyngeal space