A report of metallic foreign bodies in the neck mimicking parotitis

Abstract EN

We present a report of a patient with signs and symptoms of acute unilateral parotitis.

The patient was subsequently found to have multiple metal wires embedded within the right sternocleidomastoid muscle, with no evidence of preceding trauma.

Although the etiology was unclear, a childhood injury was suspected, highlighting the need for a high index of suspicion for foreign bodies in any child presenting with unexplained persistent aerodigestive tract symptoms.