INTRODUCTION: Ingestion of a foreign body is a common occurrence in our population. We present 2 cases that illustrate an unusual outcome of an otherwise usual occurrence. CLINICAL PICTURE: Two patients who presented with a history of ingestion of fish bones were worked up. The radiological findings were suspicious of a foreign body and both underwent examination under general anaesthesia. The endoscopic findings were normal. After further evaluation for persistent calcifications with computed tomography, a thyroid malignancy was found in the first patient and tongue cancer in the second patient. TREATMENT: The first patient underwent elective hemithyroidectomy and the second underwent wide excision of the tumour with neck dissection. OUTCOME: Both recovered uneventfully with regular follow-up in the outpatient clinic. CONCLUSION: There should be a high index of suspicion in patients with persistent calcifications.
INTRODUCTION: Ingestion of a foreign body is a common occurrence in our population. We present 2 cases that illustrate an unusual outcome of an otherwise usual occurrence. CLINICAL PICTURE: Two patients who presented with a history of ingestion of fish bones were worked up. The radiological findings were suspicious of a foreign body and both underwent examination under general anaesthesia. The endoscopic findings were normal. After further evaluation for persistent calcifications with computed tomography, a thyroid malignancy was found in the first patient and tongue cancer in the second patient. TREATMENT: The first patient underwent elective hemithyroidectomy and the second underwent wide excision of the tumour with neck dissection. OUTCOME: Both recovered uneventfully with regular follow-up in the outpatient clinic. CONCLUSION: There should be a high index of suspicion in patients with persistent calcifications.