Combination of gastroscopy and fibro‑bronchoscopy facilitates removal of incarcerated fish bone in the esophagus: A case report

Esophageal foreign body impaction is a notable clinical emergency. If the high-risk esophageal foreign bodies are not removed in time, life-threatening complications, such as perforation, infection and injury to the vessels, may occur. In the present study, the case of a patient experiencing a foreign body sensation in the throat after ingesting a fish bone by mistake is presented. A high risk of impending arterial puncture was confirmed using thoracic CT and thoracic aorta CT angiography scanning. The ends of the fish bone were first confirmed using a fibro-bronchoscopy light source passing through the bronchial and esophageal walls, before biopsy forceps were used to successively free the thoracic aorta and bronchial ends under gastroscopy. Finally, the fish bone was safely removed using a combination of gastroscopy and the rarely used fibro-bronchoscopy, and the patient recovered well after standard care. In certain cases of foreign bodies, it is necessary to use multiple strategies in a timely manner according to the type and location of the ingested foreign body.