Diagnostic and therapeutic challenges of a “minimally invasive penetrating foreign body”: a case report - Report - MDSpire

Diagnostic and therapeutic challenges of a “minimally invasive penetrating foreign body”: a case report

  • By

  • Wenjin Zhang

  • Cheng Liu

  • Changsong Wu

  • Tingting Hao

  • May 13, 2026

  • 0 min

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Clinical Report: Challenges in Diagnosis and Treatment of a MIPFB

Overview

This case report highlights the diagnostic challenges and successful management of a minimally invasive penetrating foreign body (MIPFB) in a 58-year-old female patient who ingested a fish bone. The report emphasizes the importance of timely imaging and endoscopic intervention to prevent serious complications.

Background

Esophageal foreign bodies, particularly fish bones, are common in adults and can lead to severe complications if not diagnosed and treated promptly. The condition often presents with non-specific symptoms, complicating diagnosis. Understanding the management of MIPFBs is crucial for preventing life-threatening outcomes such as perforation and mediastinal sepsis.

Data Highlights

No numerical data or trial data available in the article.

Key Findings

  • A 58-year-old female presented with odynophagia after ingesting a fish bone.
  • Initial assessments, including electronic nasopharyngolaryngoscopy, were inconclusive.
  • A cervical CT scan identified a 2.5-cm penetrating foreign body at the C6 level.
  • First flexible esophagoscopy and surgical exploration failed to locate the foreign body.
  • The fish bone was successfully extracted through a second endoscopic procedure using targeted mucosal manipulation.
  • Timely imaging and repeated endoscopy were critical in managing the case effectively.

Clinical Implications

Healthcare professionals should maintain a high index of suspicion for esophageal foreign bodies in patients presenting with odynophagia, especially after fish bone ingestion. Early imaging with CT can aid in diagnosis, and repeated endoscopic procedures may be preferable to surgical exploration in cases of MIPFB.

Conclusion

This case underscores the importance of timely diagnosis and intervention in managing esophageal foreign bodies. Endoscopic techniques can provide a less invasive and effective approach to treatment.

Related Resources & Content

  1. Conexiant, Source, 2023 -- Unexpected Finds After Routine Procedures
  2. Frontiers in Surgery, Source, 2026 -- Case Report: Transanal extraction combined with wound management for a broken glass foreign body and associated rectal injuries
  3. Frontiers in Surgery, Source, 2026 -- Management of a Pyogenic Liver Abscess Due to Toothpick Migration Through the Gastrointestinal Tract: A Case Study of Laparoscopic Left Lateral Sectionectomy and Gastric Perforation Repair
  4. Frontiers in Medicine, Source, 2026 -- Occult fish bone ingestion inducing cross-site injury: a rare case report of gastric bleeding and jejunal perforation
  5. Gastrointestinal Foreign Body - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf, Source, 2023
  6. CT of the esophagus in the ER: what you need to know and what you need to remember - PubMed, Source, 2023
  7. Endoscopic Closure Technique Performance for Iatrogenic Perforation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis - ScienceDirect, Source, 2023
  8. Gastrointestinal Foreign Body - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf
  9. CT of the esophagus in the ER: what you need to know and what you need to remember - PubMed
  10. Endoscopic Closure Technique Performance for Iatrogenic Perforation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis - ScienceDirect

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