Shocking Discovery: Dice Stuck in Nasal Passage for Two Decades
For 23-year-old Xiaoma from Shanxi province, chronic sneezing and a runny nose were part of his everyday life. However, after putting up with these symptoms for two decades, he finally went to Xi'an Gaoxin Hospital, which discovered the cause of his persistent discomfort-an unexpected foreign object lodged in his nasal cavity.
The Long-Lasting Effects of a Foreign Object in the Nasal Passage
One month of worsening symptoms later, Xiaoma finally underwent an endoscopy, and what the doctors found was quite shocking: a small dice stuck in his nasal passage. The dice, about two centimeters in size, had been inside his nose since childhood and was coated with secretions and partially corroded. This long-term presence of the foreign object had caused significant damage to his nasal tissues over the years.
Doctors' Astonishment and the Delicate Procedure for Extraction
Dr. Yang Rong, an otolaryngologist with the hospital, who treated Xiaoma, told about this complicated case. "During nasal endoscopy, a foreign body-a white lump coated with secretions-could be found. And after taking it out, it proved to be a two-centimeter dice partially corroded while being buried inside his nostrils for an extensive period." Dr. Yang said.
Why the Presence of Foreign Objects in the Nasal Cavity is Dangerous
Xiaoma remembers that the dice might have entered his nose when he was three or four years old, although he had no memory of it. He lived with the discomfort for years, never knowing the cause. The symptoms eventually worsened, and Xiaoma finally sought help in hopes of alleviating the constant sneezing and nasal congestion.
The process of removing the foreign object was quite delicate. Doctors needed to be very careful since improper handling of the object would have made it fall into Xiaoma's airway and could have created a life-threatening situation. The intricacy in the process of removal just underlines the risks involved in foreign objects being in the nasal cavity for long periods.
Parental Vigilance: A Key to Preventing Nasal Blockages
Dr. Yang Rong emphasized that parents should be vigilant to avoid such incidents. "Parents should pay close attention to foreign objects in the nasal cavity, as they can easily fall into the postnaris or airway and threaten the life of the patients," he advised.
Conclusion: Xiaoma's Journey to Recovery After 20 Years
The case of Xiaoma reminds one of the possible dangers of foreign bodies inside the body, especially when they have been there for many years. It also points to the importance of timely medical intervention and the role of parents in ensuring safety for their children.
With the successful extraction of the dice, Xiaoma is no longer plagued by the chronic sneezing and running nose that bothered him all these years. His is an extremely unusual case but one that really brings out the fact that a small incident in one's childhood might result in lifetime health defects if not attended to.