A teenage girl was admitted to the hospital in Sulaymaniyah, Iraq due to painful difficulty swallowing after ingesting a large needle. X-rays showed the needle located in her upper esophagus. During a procedure using a rigid esophagoscopy under general anesthesia, doctors were successfully able to remove the needle, resulting in a smooth recovery for the patient. The document comments that needle ingestion is a common occurrence in young females who may hold needles in their mouth while sewing and accidentally swallow or inhale them during activities like talking or laughing.

1. ‫الرحيم‬ ‫الرحمن‬ ‫هللا‬ ‫بسم‬
A Needle in the
Upper Esophagus
Prof. Abdulsalam Y Taha
College of Medicine
University of Sulaimani
2022

2. The Case
 A teenager female admitted to
Sulaymaniyah Teaching Hospital,
Sulaymaniyah, Iraq because of
painful dysphagia following the
ingestion of a big needle. The
needle was visible in PA and lateral
cervical X-rays and was removed by
rigid esophagoscopy under GA with
a smooth outcome.

5. Comment
 Needle ingestion is a common
occurrence in young female
patients who may put the needle
between their lips frequently
while sewing. The needle then
may become ingested or inhaled
during speech or laughing…etc.
Needless to say, this is a serious
event.