Hoarseness due to misdiagnosed and neglected laryngeal chicken bone impaction

Abstract

The objective of the study was to report a case of hoarseness in a child due to misdiagnosed and neglected laryngeal chicken bone impaction and to discuss its clinical manifestations, clinical course, ancillary procedures, and management. An 8-year-old female, was admitted with a 1-month history of chicken bone impaction in the glottic area. The patient noted foreign body sensation in the throat after eating rice porridge. She consulted and was discharged from a hospital since the chest and neck X-rays were unremarkable. A week later, she developed hoarseness, shortness of breath, and productive cough. A repeat chest X-ray was negative with a diagnosis of upper respiratory tract infection. Medications afforded no relief and the persistence of symptoms prompted consult at our institution. From the emergency department, she was brought to the operating room; however, she developed laryngospasm and desaturation, and hence, the procedure was postponed to the following day. Under general anesthesia, direct laryngoscopy showed a V-shaped chicken bone lodged in the glottic chink, which was removed with uneventful recovery.