Intraoperative Ultrasound for Removal of a Fishbone Foreign Body Embedded in the Tongue

Abstract

Background. Ultrasound (U/S) is a dynamic imaging modality with many applications in medicine. In Otolaryngology, U/S is used routinely in the clinic with several evolving applications intraoperatively. Case Report. A 53-year-old male presented to the emergency department with dysphagia, odynophagia, hoarseness, and sensation of foreign body after ingesting fish. A CT scan identified an approximately 2 cm horizontally-oriented foreign body consistent with a fishbone embedded in the left posterolateral tongue. Intraoperative U/S was used to localize and remove the fishbone without complications. Results. The patient recovered well after surgery and was discharged home on postoperative day 2. No residual foreign body was found on the repeat CT scan. Conclusion. Our case demonstrates the effectiveness of intraoperative U/S for removal of fishbone foreign bodies from the tongue and serves to inspire future applications of this modality in Otolaryngology.