Migrating Fish Bones

Michael Greger M.D. FACLM September 24, 2010 Volume 4

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A rare complication of fish consumption.

Below is an approximation of this video’s audio content. To see any graphs, charts, graphics, images, and quotes to which Dr. Greger may be referring, watch the above video.

Woman walks into an emergency room, complaining of a sore throat after eating fish the previous morning. On exam, she has a lump in her neck. So they take a scalpel, slice it open, and what pops out but a fish bone! A migrating fish bone, presenting as an acute onset of a neck lump.

It went out her throat, next to her voice box, into her neck, and just barely missed her carotid artery—in which case she would have probably bled to death. But, thankfully, it missed the artery, and after five days in the hospital, she was all better.

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