Author(s)
Tyler Bliss
Jason Talmadge
Christopher Bingcang
Affiliation(s)
University of Nebraska Medical Center
Abstract:
Objective: Review two cases of dentures as supraglottic foreign bodies in patients seen at our institution while undergoing workup for dysphagia and subsequently found to have partial dentures in the pharynx.Method: A review of two cases at our institution.Results: Two patients were seen urgently by the otolaryngology team after discovery of foreign body in pharynx incidentally on radiography. These patients were taken to the OR and extraction of the foreign bodies were performed under moderate IV sedation and found to be partial dentures. In both of our cases there was a delay in ENT consultation due to ambiguous presenting symptoms. Both patients had a mild/moderate degree of mental impairment. On further discussion it was noted that both patients reported to their caregivers that the dentures were missing several days prior to the discovery in the pharynx, but this was not extensively investigated. The key to early recognition is awareness of the hazard of supraglottic migration both by denture wearers and clinicians.Conclusion: Dentures are commonly used prosthetic devices to aid in mastication, aesthetics, and pronunciation. Complications with denture use are few, the most notable being denture stomatitis. However, there is potential in some patients for the denture to become dislodged into the oropharynx or supraglottic area. It is important that both patients with dentures and clinicians be aware of the possibility of denture migration so that early diagnosis and extraction can be performed.