title: Tongue abscess induced by embedded remnant fishbone.
abstract: The authors reported a 56-year-old man with progressive pain over left bottom of oral cavity involving tongue for 3 days. He had a puncture history of tongue by fishbone, which was immediately removed 3 weeks ago. The subsequent contrast-enhanced computed tomography scan of neck disclosed an abscess formation with a faint linear radiopaque material inside, consisting with remnant fishbone retention. The patient was treated conservatively with intravenous antibiotics, followed by an uneventful course during subsequent follow-up for more than 9 months until now. Tongue abscess is a rare but potentially life threatening clinical entity. Foreign body puncture-related tongue abscess should be listed as a differential diagnosis in cases with acute tongue swelling.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Lo Tung Poh-Ai Hospital , I-lan Taiwan.
authors.forename: Pai-L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: C-W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Chiang
authors.forename: C-C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Shiao
mesh_terms: D000038:Abscess / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D000818:Animals; D001842:Bone and Bones; D005399:Fishes; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D014060:Tongue Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*
keywords: Fishbone; Tongue abscess