Clinical diagnosis of an unusual cause of a cutaneous neck mass.
A case of migrating ingested fish bone presenting as an unresolving inflamed neck mass is reported. The clinical features of this rare but easily misdiagnosed entity are discussed. The diagnosis must be suspected in a patient with an unresolving inflamed cutaneous lesion (especially one with a punctum), tenderness of the lesion elicited on swallowing and the presence of a palpable subcutaneous fistula tract. In such a patient, a history of recent foreign body ingestion must be actively sought. An accurate early diagnosis of this easily treatable condition is desirable as it could avert unnecessary delays, inconveniences, anxiety, costs, investigations and surgery.
Low
W K
WK
Department of Otolaryngology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore. gollwk@sgh.gov.sg
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001842:Bone and Bones; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D005548:Foreign-Body Migration / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012867:Skin