More than chest pain: A case of oesophageal foreign body ingestion

Abstract

Background: Physicians often focus on possible cardiac causes in patients presenting with chest pain. However, this case highlights a patient who presented with chest pain caused by ingestion of a foreign body after an uneventful meal eaten an hour prior to presentation. The fishbone was discovered after imaging. The article aims to raise awareness regarding the potential origins of chest pain, highlighting that it may stem from non-cardiac conditions.

Methods: The methodology employed in this study involved conducting a case study that meticulously examined the repercussions and management strategies associated with foreign body ingestion.

Results: The case report delineates the scenario of a 27-year-old male patient who inadvertently ingested a fishbone during a routine meal. It details the swift decline in clinical status, the meticulous diagnostic procedures employed, the subsequent management strategies implemented and the ultimate discharge of the patient in a stable condition.

Conclusion: This case highlights the importance of comprehensive history taking and considering a wide range of causes of chest pain when evaluating a patient. The foreign body ingested with the resulting cardiac complications could have been fatal if not promptly diagnosed.

Contribution: This study contributed to advancing awareness surrounding foreign body ingestion, shedding light on potential complications and offering valuable insights into effective management strategies.