Finding a needle in the common carotid artery 3 years after ingestion.

A woman presented with an ischemic stroke involving the right middle cerebral artery. Investigations revealed a foreign body in the cervical area. It was identified as a metal needle, perforating the posterior pharyngeal wall and migrating into the right common carotid artery (CCA). Three years previously, this patient had complained of odynophagia, brought on by needle ingestion. Three days before her stroke, she had hematemesis, caused by migration of the needle into the CCA. The stroke was caused by migration of the thrombus. This type of event is rarely encountered in Europe. Early recognition could avoid dangerous vascular complications.