A fish bone embedded in the mobile tongue mimicking a neoplasm

Abstract Foreign bodies embedded in a mobile tongue as an enlarged tongue mass are rarely presented to either a laryngologist or a dentist, because such bodies are commonly lodged superficially and are easily removed by the patients themselves or removed by a laryngologist by means of indirect laryngoscope or endoscope. We have described a 63‐year‐old female with an 8‐month history of an enlarged mass in the anterior right tongue. Physical examination demonstrated a mass located in the anterior right tongue without clear margin, with superficially intact mucosa and normal colour. A benign tongue neoplasm was first considered. However, a fish bone totally embedded in the mobile tongue with granuloma formation was encountered during the incisional biopsy operation. Complete removal of the foreign body with granuloma was achieved under general anaesthesia. There was no neuromuscular or neurosensory dysfunction of the tongue in the follow‐up period of 2 years. Although an embedded foreign body in the mobile tongue is a rare condition, it should be considered in the work‐up of a patient with an enlarged tongue mass, with or without a history of swallowing a foreign body.