A case report of a 6-cm-long missed foreign body in the cheek of a patient

Lack of attention to a patient’s history and his/her accurate physical examination may lead to diagnostic and treatment problems. Thus, a case is reported in which a missed foreign body inside a patient’s cheek caused therapeutic problems The patient was a nine-year old girl who had a broken pencil lead inside one of her cheeks due to falling off a height of one-meter, while she had been holding the pencil in her hand. She was referred to EMS; radiography was taken from the laceration, and it was sutured. She was discharged with antibiotic medication. After discharge, the patient repeatedly referred to physicians and complained of pain and secretion in the sutured area. At the end, spiral CT scan of paranasal sinuses was demanded which depicted a 60 mm tubular foreign body. Thus, the patient had to undergo surgery. In visiting patients their primary histories and physical examinations are the most decisive factors which help physicians to make proper diagnoses. If necessary, CT scans can be of great tool for diagnosis.