Embolism of a Piece of Iron after Penetrating Neck Injury: From Right Internal Jugular Vein to Left Lower Lobe of the Lung

Abstract

Objective. This case report of a 40-year-old male patient describes the embolization of a piece of iron trapped in the jugular vein following an industrial injury.

Case Report. The 40-year-old male patient was admitted to the emergency service for bleeding from the neck. In contrast to the first X-ray image, no foreign body was observed at the injury site or aspiration of fluid during emergency surgery. Following x-ray radiography, an opacity was observed in the left lower lobe of the lung, consistent with a foreign body. Echocardiography demonstrated no pathological manifestation in the atria, ventricles, or major pulmonary artery. There was no need to intervene because the patient was asymptomatic and had no noticeable symptoms of hemoptysis. The outpatient clinic’s radiological and clinical control examinations were normal at the end of six months.

Conclusion. The movement of the foreign body to the lung within one or two hours may have resulted from our manipulation or may have occurred spontaneously. As a result, any foreign bodies that have invaded the vascular system should be removed as soon as possible.