Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
A Delayed Diagnosis of an Oral Foreign Body Due to Post-traumatic Neglect: A Case Report and Literature Review.
- Year:
- 2025
- Authors:
- Pansotra N et al.
- Affiliation:
- Department of Dentistry
Plain-English summary
This case involves a 23-year-old woman who had been experiencing a long-term problem with pus coming from her mouth. After looking into her symptoms, it turned out that she had an injury in her throat area from a fall when she was 11 years old while holding a toothbrush. Initial X-rays didn't show anything wrong, but a more detailed scan revealed that a part of the toothbrush was stuck in her throat. The doctors were able to remove it through surgery, and she had no major issues afterward, with all her symptoms going away completely. This case shows how important it is to take a detailed history and use advanced imaging when dealing with unclear mouth problems.
Abstract
Foreign bodies embedded in the oral cavity are infrequent and often pose substantial diagnostic challenges, particularly when the early traumatic incident occurs in childhood and remains unknown for years. This case report presents a 23-year-old female patient who reported chronic purulent discharge in the oral cavity. After a thorough investigation, the symptoms were linked back to an oropharyngeal injury that occurred when the patient was 11 years old after a fall while holding a toothbrush. When the orthopantomogram (OPG) failed to reveal any abnormalities, computed tomography (CT) was used for further evaluation, which revealed a retained toothbrush head lodged near the right pterygomandibular space. The foreign object was surgically removed with negligible postoperative complications, resulting in complete symptom resolution. When assessing persistent orofacial complaints of uncertain origin, this case emphasizes the value of a comprehensive patient history, early use of advanced imaging, and a high index of clinical suspicion. Additionally, it highlights the critical role of preventive education, particularly during routine dental visits.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://europepmc.org/article/MED/41333491