Impacted dentures in the oesophagus.
OBJECTIVE
This study presents the incidence of denture impaction in the oesophagus, and discusses the difficulties of managing such cases.


METHODS
A total of 262 patients with a history of foreign body ingestion (between 1999 and 2010) were reviewed; 46 of these patients had dentures impacted in the oesophagus.


RESULTS
The cervical section of the oesophagus was the commonest site of impaction. Dysphagia and tracheal tenderness were the most consistent features when dentures became impacted in the upper oesophagus. In most cases, rigid oesophagoscopy enabled successful removal of the impacted denture. Locating an impacted denture hidden within the oesophageal mucosal folds sometimes proved difficult.


CONCLUSIONS
In cases of impacted dentures in the oesophagus, a positive history helps in the diagnosis, but a high degree of clinical suspicion aids early detection. Conventional radiographs are important but may not always be of assistance. Early intervention reduces complications. Dentures that are poorly maintained and old are more likely to be swallowed accidentally. The inclusion of radiopaque filler within dentures would assist localisation following accidental swallowing.
Department of ENT,Bankura Sammilani Medical College,West Bengal,India.
S N
SN
Bandyopadhyay
Department of ENT,Bankura Sammilani Medical College,West Bengal,India.
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S
Das
Department of ENT,Bankura Sammilani Medical College,West Bengal,India.
S K
SK
Das
Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery,Calcutta National Medical College,West Bengal,India.
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A
Mandal
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003679:Deglutition; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D003778:Dentures / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D020878:Device Removal; D004327:Drinking Behavior; D004947:Esophagus / Q000293:injuries*; D005260:Female; D057918:Fiducial Markers; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D014132:Trachea / Q000293:injuries