A 48-year-old Dubai resident experienced discomfort when a fishbone became lodged in her throat during a holiday. Initially, she disregarded the issue, anticipating that the bone would naturally descend. Despite the bone eventually dislodging from her throat without immediate symptoms, the Indian expatriate started to feel pain a few days later, leading her to seek emergency care. Upon examination, doctors discovered that the 3cm bone had moved from her throat and embedded itself in her thyroid gland, a condition with potentially fatal implications. A surgical team from Aster Hospital Mankhool successfully removed the bone.
Dr. Deepak Janardhan, an E.N.T and Head & Neck Surgery Specialist at the hospital, shared with Khaleej Times that although the surgery took only 15 minutes, there were initial concerns about possible complications. "If the fishbone had fractured and part of it remained, we might have had to remove part or all of the gland," he explained. "Fortunately, we managed to extract the bone whole and encountered no further complications."
The patient had attempted home remedies such as swallowing a rice ball, which temporarily alleviated her discomfort. However, a week later, she developed neck pain and visited a local clinic. Initial checks were inconclusive, but a subsequent sonogram detected an abnormal linear object, prompting a referral to Aster Hospital Mankhool for expert care. A CT scan at the hospital confirmed a 3cm bone embedded in the right thyroid lobe, piercing the strap muscle. The surgical procedure, performed under general anesthesia, successfully removed the bone and carefully closed the wound.
Dr. Bharath Rao, an E.N.T, Endoscopic Nasal & Micro Ear Surgery Specialist, emphasized the importance of meticulous planning and precise surgery to ensure complete removal of the fishbone and optimal patient recovery. He stressed the necessity for individuals to seek medical help if they experience lingering symptoms after ingesting a foreign object.
While fishbones getting stuck in the throat is a frequent issue, especially among seafood lovers, it is exceptionally uncommon for a fishbone to travel to the thyroid gland, according to medical professionals. Dr. Deepak highlighted that fishbones lodged in the throat can rapidly lead to severe complications if not promptly treated. He noted that this was the first instance he had encountered where a fishbone migrated to the thyroid gland, a rare and concerning event. The patient was fortunate that the bone was long, with a portion protruding from the gland, which facilitated diagnosis.
Dr. Deepak also mentioned the rare possibility of fishbones piercing through soft tissues and potentially lodging in the spine, leading to infection. In extremely rare instances, they could also puncture a major vessel supplying the brain. He urged caution regarding fishbone ingestion, advising that persistent symptoms over two or three days should prompt medical consultation.
