Foreign body perforation of the cervical esophagus

Two cases of foreign body perforation of the cervical esophagus are presented. Although the foreign bodies were shown in soft tissue radiographs of the neck, esophagoscopies were normal and their extraluminal position had to be confirmed by computerized tomography. In 1 case, the foreign body was lodged in the thyroid, necessitating a partial thyroid lobectomy. Prompt diagnosis and management prevented serious complications in both cases.