Fat bolus impaction: a rare case report

Abstract

An impacted esophageal foreign body is most often an urgent, rather than a life-threatening, medical situation. Typically, two types of foreign bodies are encountered: true foreign bodies (buttons, coins, pieces of balloon etc) and food-related foreign bodies. Ingestion of true foreign bodies generally occurs in persons less than 40 years old, with the vast majority being children. The incidence of true foreign body ingestion is also high in incarcerated individuals and in persons with psychiatric disorders. Food-related foreign bodies are more prevalent in persons who are over 60 years of age, who have esophageal disease, anatomic narrowing, motility disorders or who have recently consumed central nervous system depressants, especially ethanol. This article describes the clinical presentation, radiological findings and management of impacted mutton fat bolus as foreign body in an adult male patient.