Chopsticks lodged in man's nose for over a year

A 40-year-old man experiencing persistent nasal congestion and discharge after a drunken fall finally had the cause revealed: a pair of chopsticks lodged in his nose.

On 2/7, Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hai, Deputy Head of the Department of Otolaryngology at the Ho Chi Minh City ENT Hospital, reported a case of a 40-year-old man suffering from prolonged nasal congestion and discharge, specifically on the right side. The patient also reported occasional severe pain in his right cheek. Upon examination, Dr. Hai observed cloudy mucus and a reddish mass, suspected to be a foreign object, encrusted in the right nasal cavity. A CT scan and endoscopy were ordered.

The scans revealed two foreign objects, each measuring 5-6 cm in length, extending from the right nasal cavity through the inner wall and behind the maxillary sinus, reaching the base of the skull. The surgical team performed an endoscopic procedure and successfully removed the objects, identified as two chopsticks over 5 cm long. Following the procedure, the patient received further medical treatment to prevent infection.

The removed chopsticks. Photo: Provided by the hospital

According to Dr. Hai, the CT scan played a crucial role in accurately diagnosing the presence and location of the foreign objects, which was essential for planning the surgical approach. The operation demanded meticulous care to ensure complete removal of the chopsticks while avoiding damage to surrounding structures such as nerves, major blood vessels, and the skull base. Prolonged presence of such foreign bodies can lead to local infections, decreased vision, and even life-threatening sepsis.

"In this case, the chopsticks were extremely close to the skull base," Dr. Hai explained. "Had they penetrated just 0.5 cm further, they could have pierced the skull and caused brain damage, posing a serious threat to the patient's life."

Dr. Nguyen Thanh Vinh, Deputy Director of the hospital, advises individuals who experience facial trauma to seek immediate medical attention if they exhibit symptoms such as facial swelling, blurred or double vision, persistent pus discharge from wounds, foul-smelling nasal discharge, or prolonged nosebleeds. He emphasizes the importance of not dismissing persistent symptoms, even in the absence of pain.

Unilateral foul-smelling, cloudy nasal discharge can indicate the presence of a forgotten foreign object in the nasal passage. Early treatment, including surgical removal of the object and antibiotic therapy, is crucial to prevent complications in such cases.