Sharp 3-Ended Metallic Foreign Body in an Infant Hypopharynx

Foreign body ingestion is common in infants and children, but they can pose a difficult situation and a diagnostic problem if the foreign body is embedded in the soft tissues of the pharynx. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case reported with such an unusually shaped foreign body having three sharp ends embedded at two different locations in the hypopharynx of a kid such small in age giving rise to respiratory as well as feeding problem. Secondly, a sharp foreign body penetrating arytenoid causing its swelling and inflammation, thus compromising the glottic opening and producing stridor is a rare phenomenon. We present a case of a 9 months old male infant who presented in ENT emergency with complaints of vomiting, refusal to accept solid as well as liquid feed for 5 days and sudden onset of abnormal grunting sounds on breathing for 1 day. Chest examination revealed intercostal retractions with decreased air entry bilaterally and conducted sounds in chest on auscultation. Abdomen examination revealed no abnormalities, and routine blood and urine investigations were also within normal limits. A metallic foreign body with three sharp ends was visualized in the neck X-ray, the retrieval of which by rigid hypopharyngoscopy relieved the symptoms.