Foreign body in nasopharynx: an accidental radiological finding.

DRE, aged 1 year and 8 months, male, underwent a deglutogram to investigate gastroesophageal reflux, which identified a radiopaque object in the rhinopharynx (Figure 1a). The children lived in an orphanage and the caretaker could not inform details about symptoms, but reported bilateral otorrhea since the first few months of life and recurrent pneumonia (which had justified the investigation of reflux). The caretaker also reported that four months ago the child had a sudden episode of respiratory discomfort of no apparent cause, improving with “tapotement”. On physical examination, the child was afebrile, eupneic, with unobstructed nasal fossae, but with hialin secretion. Otoscopy confirmed bilateral tympanic perforation. The child was uncooperative, and was sedated to allow detailed examination of the cavum, which allowed us to digitally identify and remove a metal curtain rail hook measuring 2.0 x 2.2 cm, enveloped in thick secretion and with oxidized metal parts (Figure 1b).