The Eight Year Nasal Foreign Body: A Case Report

Nasal foreign bodies are common place in pediatric otolaryngology. They occur most commonly in the age group ranging from 2 to 5 years of age with an equal sex predilection. Infants develop pincer grasp around the age of 9 months, and this is typically the youngest patient a nasal foreign body will present in. Typical presentation includes unilateral nasal obstruction with foulsmelling, chronic unilateral nasal drainage [1]. The object itself causes little to no pain. It is most frequently lodged just caudal to the middle turbinate or along the floor of the nose, under the inferior turbinate. Length of time to diagnosis is typically short, with one study showing that nearly 75% of cases present within 24 hours [2]. Another showed similar results with 80% presenting within 24 hours and only 10% with delayed presentation [3]. However, reports have shown it may even take years in asymptomatic individuals [4]. A variety of objects are found, most commonly easily-acquired household entities. These can cause dangerous sequelae, like orbital infections, meningitis or tetanus. Batteries can cause severe mucosal injury and are considered emergencies. Case reports also describe iatrogenic materials, like packing, being found many years later [5]. In this case report, we present an 11-year-old male with an 8-year symptomatic history of nasal foreign body.