Cervical esophagotomy for removal of an ingested clam shell: a very uncommon foreign body ingestion

OBJECTIVE: To report the removal of an ingested clam shell that was firmly impacted in the esophagus. CLINICAL PRESENTATION AND INTERVENTION: A 77-year-old man presented at our hospital with acute dysphagia after eating a seafood risotto. An urgent dedicated examination (noncontrast helical multislice computed tomography scan of the neck and flexible esophagoscopy) detected a clam shell lodged in the upper esophagus. After several unsuccessful endoscopic attempts, a lifesaving cervical esophagotomy was performed and the foreign body was retrieved. CONCLUSION: This patient who ingested clam shell recovered well following the retrieval of the foreign body by performing a lifesaving cervical esophagotomy.