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What Causes Throat Pain After Swallowing A Fish Bone?
Question: Went to ER on Friday, complaining of small fish bone stuck in back of throat to maybe splintered. Thy could see nothing and told me if there is a fish bone there , my body would get rid of it or absorbe it. I have to follow up if with ENT if pain persists in a week. Today, my throat pain seemed to have gotten worse. Is this normal or is it due to maybe eating normal food ( which is painful to eat ). Even water hurts when I swallow. I checked my temperature today and it s normal. So far 3 days and still in pain.......any other suggestions? I did see a ENT specialist at the emergency room and he did not see or felt anything. The pain location seems at the left side in the back of the throat near the jaw area. Should I only drink liquids in the meantime? Throat lozenges seemed to work yesterday, but after I had ate dinner....the pain came back (only ate pasta at dinner). The lozenges seemed to stop working . How long will this pain persists (until I see the ENT) as it becomes exhausting. Checked and still no fever today. If my throat is scratched, does the pain lasts a long time?
Brief Answer:
As below:
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for your query.
1. Get a VideoLaryngoScopy(VL'Scopy) done. Fish bones are usually difficult to spot when partially embedded as they resemble the color of the throat. Under magnification and a strong light sourec, they are easier to spot.
2. Fish bones tend to get embedded in the lymphoid tissue of the throat, including the tonsils, lingual tonsils (posterior one third of the tongue) and deeper in the throat.
3. Usually an adult patient is able to locate the area with one finger. Thereafter I usually palpate it myself if it cannot be seen. If it can be located, it is removed with VLScopy under local anesthesia. If very deep, removal under general anesthesia is done.
4. If the fish bone is not seen or felt, a search is made for any mucosal injury or congestion at the site that it may have injured the throat. X-rays of the Neck are advised which may sometimes pick up the fish bone (and sometimes fish bones are not seen as they are very slender). If not seen on the X-rays, the patient is given medication (painkillers and lozenges) and asked to follow up in a couple of days. Mucosal injuries heal in three to five days.
5. Severe pain that persists is a sign that the fish bone is still there. Larger fish bones tend to migrate into the tissues of the neck. Hence get the Neck X-rays to rule out any large fish bone.
I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any further questions, I will be available to answer them.
Regards.
As below:
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for your query.
1. Get a VideoLaryngoScopy(VL'Scopy) done. Fish bones are usually difficult to spot when partially embedded as they resemble the color of the throat. Under magnification and a strong light sourec, they are easier to spot.
2. Fish bones tend to get embedded in the lymphoid tissue of the throat, including the tonsils, lingual tonsils (posterior one third of the tongue) and deeper in the throat.
3. Usually an adult patient is able to locate the area with one finger. Thereafter I usually palpate it myself if it cannot be seen. If it can be located, it is removed with VLScopy under local anesthesia. If very deep, removal under general anesthesia is done.
4. If the fish bone is not seen or felt, a search is made for any mucosal injury or congestion at the site that it may have injured the throat. X-rays of the Neck are advised which may sometimes pick up the fish bone (and sometimes fish bones are not seen as they are very slender). If not seen on the X-rays, the patient is given medication (painkillers and lozenges) and asked to follow up in a couple of days. Mucosal injuries heal in three to five days.
5. Severe pain that persists is a sign that the fish bone is still there. Larger fish bones tend to migrate into the tissues of the neck. Hence get the Neck X-rays to rule out any large fish bone.
I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any further questions, I will be available to answer them.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thanks, the question I have is this....the lozenges help yesterday, but not today...it got worse after I ate dinner...........the ENT at the EMR said that it will dissolve if it;s still there or it can be a scratch. He told me it could take about a week to feel better.
AlsoI have acid reflux and I take medication for it......could this also be the issue, as it could aggravate the area or scratch? When I tool some XXXXXXX seltzer for a stomach upset....the pain got worse.
AlsoI have acid reflux and I take medication for it......could this also be the issue, as it could aggravate the area or scratch? When I tool some XXXXXXX seltzer for a stomach upset....the pain got worse.
Brief Answer:
As below:
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for your query.
1. There is always confusion with thin fish bones whether the continuing discomfort and pain is due to the fish bone, attempts at removing it or from the injury or abrasions caused by the fish bone while being swallowed.
2. Hence X-rays and a VL'Scopy helps. It takes a few days before the abrasions heal. if the pain persists beyond a week, the fish bone or its fragments are still likely to be there.
3. The antacid painkiller may have irritated the throat. XXXXXXX Seltzer and throat lozenges are designed to be used with an intact throat lining without any abrasions. The lozenges may have worked earlier with copious secretions and saliva, however the next day, throat dryness and irritation may have made your throat worse.
I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any further questions, I will be available to answer them.
Regards.
As below:
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for your query.
1. There is always confusion with thin fish bones whether the continuing discomfort and pain is due to the fish bone, attempts at removing it or from the injury or abrasions caused by the fish bone while being swallowed.
2. Hence X-rays and a VL'Scopy helps. It takes a few days before the abrasions heal. if the pain persists beyond a week, the fish bone or its fragments are still likely to be there.
3. The antacid painkiller may have irritated the throat. XXXXXXX Seltzer and throat lozenges are designed to be used with an intact throat lining without any abrasions. The lozenges may have worked earlier with copious secretions and saliva, however the next day, throat dryness and irritation may have made your throat worse.
I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any further questions, I will be available to answer them.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Would acid reflux make it worse, as I have this disease and have been treated for it.
Brief Answer:
Yes.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for writing back.
1. Yes, acid reflux will irritate the abrasions and make the pain and discomfort worse.
2. Mucaine Gel (or any anesthetic antacid liquid suspension) will reduce the discomfort and pain.
I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any further questions, I will be available to answer them.
Regards.
Yes.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for writing back.
1. Yes, acid reflux will irritate the abrasions and make the pain and discomfort worse.
2. Mucaine Gel (or any anesthetic antacid liquid suspension) will reduce the discomfort and pain.
I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any further questions, I will be available to answer them.
Regards.
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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