Almarri Firas K, Abdulsalam Khalid S, Almohanna Shahad M, Alserhani Abdulrahman Awad
Department of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Ad Diriyah Hospital, Third Health Cluster, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Department of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Ad Diriyah Hospital, Third Health Cluster, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Int J Surg Case Rep. 2025 Apr;129:111180. doi: 10.1016/j.ijscr.2025.111180. Epub 2025 Mar 20.
Nasal foreign bodies (NFBs) are commonly encountered in pediatric patients but rarely persist asymptomatically into adolescence. Typically, NFBs present with symptoms such as nasal obstruction, rhinorrhea, or foul odor. However, asymptomatic cases pose diagnostic challenges and are seldom identified without incidental findings.
We present the case of a 17-year-old male with an asymptomatic NFB discovered incidentally during routine dental radiography. The patient denied any history of nasal obstruction, epistaxis, or discomfort. Imaging revealed a radiopaque object in the right nasal cavity, later identified as a metallic snap button embedded in the floor of the nasal cavity. The foreign body had likely been retained for over a decade.
The asymptomatic nature of this case challenges the typical presentation of NFBs. The inert material of the foreign body and its location within the nasal cavity likely contributed to the absence of symptoms. This case underscores the importance of considering NFBs in differential diagnoses, even when patients remain asymptomatic. Dentists, in particular, play a critical role in identifying such foreign bodies during routine imaging, as they may otherwise go unnoticed.
This case contributes to the limited literature on long-standing, asymptomatic nasal foreign bodies. It emphasizes the need for healthcare providers, including dentists, to remain vigilant and consider foreign bodies in cases of incidental findings. Appropriate follow-up and education are necessary to prevent potential complications associated with untreated foreign bodies.
鼻腔异物（NFBs）在儿科患者中很常见，但很少能无症状地持续到青春期。通常，鼻腔异物会出现鼻塞、流涕或异味等症状。然而，无症状的病例带来了诊断挑战，若无偶然发现则很少能被识别。
我们报告一例17岁男性患者，在常规牙科X光检查时偶然发现无症状鼻腔异物。患者否认有任何鼻塞、鼻出血或不适病史。影像学检查显示右鼻腔有一不透光物体，后来确定为嵌入鼻腔底部的金属按扣。该异物可能已留存十多年。
该病例的无症状性质与鼻腔异物的典型表现不同。异物的惰性材料及其在鼻腔内的位置可能是导致无症状的原因。该病例强调了在鉴别诊断中考虑鼻腔异物的重要性，即使患者无症状。特别是牙医，在常规影像学检查中识别此类异物起着关键作用，否则它们可能会被忽视。
该病例丰富了关于长期无症状鼻腔异物的有限文献。它强调医疗保健人员，包括牙医，在偶然发现病例时需保持警惕并考虑异物的存在。进行适当的随访和教育对于预防与未处理异物相关的潜在并发症是必要的。
