Rare living hypopharyngeal foreign body

Abstract

This is a case report about a rare hypopharyngeal foreign body causing dysphagia, dyspnea, and hemoptysis as well as melena: an ingested leech. The patient was in this condition for more than 1 week. The ingested leech, attached to the right piriform fossa partially obstructing the larynx, had to be removed under general anesthesia. After removal, no further symptoms occurred. The leech was identified as the species Theromyzon tessulatum. Human infestation of a leech in the upper aerodigestive tract is a very rare condition in urban areas. The current literature is reviewed and the diagnostic approach as well as therapeutic options are discussed.