Neck abscess and vocal cord paresis: delayed complications of a self-extruded long fishbone stuck in throat.

A 57-year-old Caucasian man, otherwise fit and well, presented with a 2-week history of dysphagia, odynophagia. Two weeks prior to the presentation, he had felt a fishbone stuck in his throat which was self-extruded after 3 days. Subsequently he developed a right anterior neck swelling and hoarseness. Transnasal endoscopic examination of larynx revealed an injected and oedematous right hemilarynx with right vocal cord paresis. An ultrasound examination of the neck confirmed a collection in the neck on the right side, and frank pus was aspirated from the neck abscess and he responded well to conservative management. Subsequent examination in follow-up had shown complete recovery of vocal cord movement. The patient did not seek medical attention immediately after getting a 5 cm fishbone extruded from the throat which resulted in significant morbidity. All patients should be alerted to the possibility of delayed complications and they should be encouraged to seek urgent medical attention.