An impalement injury to the oropharynx in a paediatric patient—a case report

Abstract 

Impalement injuries of the oral cavity are common in children and potential for serious complications including internal carotid artery thrombosis which may go unrecogonised. We present a patient who suffered a penetrating injury in which an implanted foreign body was not detected despite the persistence of symptoms and repeated clinical examinations. We discuss the role of investigations and highlight the potential sequaele of these injuries with the aim of increasing awareness and so optimising patient management.

Keywords: Maxillofacial, Oral impalement injuries, Foreign body, Internal carotid artery thrombosis