Practice abstract
British Dental Journal 205, 23 - 25 (2008)
Published online: 12 July 2008 | doi:10.1038/sj.bdj.2008.565
Subject Categories: Case reports | Behavioural sciences
Case report: foreign body in the palate of an infant
K. Hussain1, A. J. Brown2 & D. Chavda3
- The contour of the infant palate lends itself to the retention of a foreign object. This quality is aided by habits such as thumb-sucking and feeding action.
- Impaction of foreign bodies is not uncommon in the oral cavity of infants and prompt recognition and referral are essential to prevent serious complications.
- Presentation of a retained foreign body can vary from clinically obvious to mimicking other conditions.
Abstract
Most foreign body aspirations occur in children younger than five years old, with 65% of deaths affecting infants younger than one year. A reasonably uncommon eventuality is attachment and retention of the foreign body to the oral mucosal tissues and in particular to the soft tissues of the hard palate. The following report discusses the unusual presentation of a foreign body in the palate of a child as well as the treatment carried out to facilitate the removal of the object. This report aims to highlight the importance of considering an impacted foreign body in the differential diagnosis of a palatal mass in an infant.
- Consultant Maxillofacial Surgeon, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Queen Mary's Hospital, Sidcup, Kent / Guy's Hospital, Guy's Tower, London, SE1 7RT
- Senior House Officer, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Queen Mary's Hospital, Sidcup, Kent
- Consultant Anaesthetist, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Queen Mary's Hospital, Sidcup, Kent
Correspondence to: A. J. Brown2 e-mail: alyson.brown@qms.nhs.uk
