An unusual case of a misplaced denture

Abstract

The aspiration of a foreign body is a rare occurrence in adults. We present a case of a missing partial denture, which remained undetected clinically and radiographically at the initial presentation to the accident and emergency department, leading to discharge of the patient with the partial denture still lodged within the oropharynx. This case highlights that clinicians should be aware of potential hazards associated with denture wear in individuals who are at high risk of tracheobronchial aspiration and as such be able to recognise any arising complications.

Impacted denture in the oesophagus: review of the literature and its management

“…Denture ingestion has a high misdiagnosis rate of 47% 3. The published literature contains reports of patients discharged home from the emergency department (ED) with missed impacted dentures in the oropharynx and upper oesophagus 4 5. The consequences can be disastrous such as requirement for tracheostomy,5 mortality4 and litigation 3.…”

“…The published literature contains reports of patients discharged home from the emergency department (ED) with missed impacted dentures in the oropharynx and upper oesophagus 4 5. The consequences can be disastrous such as requirement for tracheostomy,5 mortality4 and litigation 3. The diagnostic difficulty may be related to unclear history from patients with sensory deficit due to neurological conditions, cognitive deficit in older people, lack of clinical signs and radiolucency of dentures.…”