Pseudoforeign bodies of the cervical region

G. C. Lulenski and F. T. Guilford

Previous reports have enumerated a large variety of foreign bodies in the upper airway and digestive passages. Clinical emphasis has stressed diligence in detecting any possible foreign object. Three cases are presented in which a diagnosis of a foreign body in the cervical region was made and endoscopy advised. In each case, there was some discrepancy between the physical findings and the location of the foreign body. Further study revealed these presumed objects to be ossification centers within one of the laryngeal cartilages. The existence of these centers is stressed as a reminder in the evaluation of a patient with a history suggesting foreign-body ingestion.