INTRODUCTION
Foreign bodies (FB) of the upper aerodigestive tract are among the most common emergencies for otolaryngologists, especially regarding pediatric patients. FB have been reported as the reason for admission of 10-30% of all patients to otolaryngology emergency departments (ED); of which, nasal FBs (NFB) represent 20-30%1-2.
The most common anatomical site for NFB is below the inferior turbinate3. Only small fractions, approximately 30% of NFB, are radiopaque. Therefore, NFB are not usually seen in plain radiographs performed in the ED setting4. Most patients with NFB are successfully managed in the ED by pediatricians5. Only a small fraction requires assistance of otolaryngologists, usually due to more posterior positioning of the NFB inside the nasal cavity or to lack of patients’ cooperation, which sometimes necessitates anesthesia6. Overall complication rates for NFB removal, as reported in the literature, are estimated between 5-22%7-8.