Large foreign body removed from the nasal cavity after 28 years

Abstract

Foreign bodies of the nasal cavity are relatively frequent in pediatric patients, while in the adults, they are usually seen in disturbed persons or at the emergency room. Here we report a case of an unusual long-standing foreign body that passed misdiagnosed for 28 years in a 47 year-old man. The main complain of the patient were a continuous bad breath and presence of drainage of secretions in the posterior right maxilla. The patient related that he suffered a trauma in the face 28 years ago. Panoramic radiography exam showed a triangular radiopaque mass, superimposed on the right maxillary sinus and presence of the root of tooth 17, with a bucosinusal communication. A piece of glass of large dimensions was removed by the nasal cavity by general anesthesia. The patient developed well without any complaints after the surgery, showing total remission of earlier symptoms. This case shows the significance of medical history and clinical and radiographic detailed assessment of the nasal cavity and maxillary sinus in any adult patient with unilateral nasal symptoms, especially in cases without improvement after drug treatment.