Application of ultrasonic probe with a needle for surveying a fish bone embedded in the tongue

Abstract

Detection and localization of foreign bodies within soft tissue is often difficult, particularly those in the mobile tongue. However, few reports have related definitive procedures for the removal of foreign bodies in the tongue. Computed tomography (CT) is usually utilized to detect foreign bodies, but cannot provide real-time information during removal operations. We report a case involving a fishbone embedded in the mobile tongue that was easily retrieved using ultrasonic probing with a 26-G needle as a landmark.