A foreign body in the pharynx migrating through the internal jugular vein

We present an unusual and a rare case study of a 45-year-old woman who had swallowed a sharp pointed metallic foreign body while eating meat. The foreign body had migrated from the cricopharynx through the parapharyngeal space and penetrated the internal jugular vein over a period of 10 days presenting as a tender neck swelling. The management of this case is discussed here in brief. (Am J Otolaryngol 2003;24:89-91. Copyright 2003 Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved.)