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.