Uncommon cause of chest pain: Case report of esophageal foreign body diagnosed by chest computed tomography scan

Abstract

A 44-year-old man with a history of epilepsy presented with mild, persistent chest pain lasting 3 days, despite normal cardiac evaluations. A chest computed tomography scan revealed 3 artificial dental prostheses lodged in his esophagus, which the patient had inadvertently swallowed during a recent seizure. Endoscopic removal of the foreign bodies resolved his chest pain without complications. This case emphasizes the importance of considering esophageal foreign bodies as a differential diagnosis for persistent chest pain, particularly in patients with neurological conditions, and highlights the role of early imaging for accurate diagnosis and timely intervention.

Keywords

• Chest pain
• Esophageal foreign body
• Chest
• Computed tomography scan
• Seizure