Durian seed an uncommon foreign body impaction: a case report

Durian is known as the king of fruits. Its seed is an uncommon foreign body impaction on the larynx. A 23-year-old male alleged that durian seed stuck in the throat while eating. He was having difficulty breathing with bouts of coughing. He had a failed Heimlich manoeuvre and rushed to emergency department and subsequently the seed expelled after bouts of violent coughing. Flexible nasopharyngolaryngoscopy was done and showed the arytenoids was swollen, erythematous laryngeal surface of the epiglottis, inflamed inner surface of right anterior and left true chords, ventricles and the false chords. Close observation with intravenous dexamethasone and intravenous antibiotic is paramount in managing the patient. Durian seed impaction on the larynx is rare. This case report showed the function of the larynx as the protective or the watch dog for any foreign body. The endoscopic findings highly suggestive the lodgement of the foreign body on the laryngeal inlet and the appropriate treatment is important in managing such cases.