Pediatr Emerg Med J.  2025 Jan;12(1):36-40. 10.22470/pemj.2024.01088.

A case of an accidental miswak injury penetrating the floor of the mouth of a 5-year-old child

• Alqahtani G
• Abdulmajeed I
• AlGoraini Y

• KMID: 2563130
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.22470/pemj.2024.01088

Abstract

Children often engage in a habit of carrying items in their mouths and are prone to falling. We report a novel case involving a 5-year-old boy who experienced an oral injury characterized by the penetration of “miswak,” a wooden stick used for dental hygiene, into the floor of the mouth and was discharged without complications. Penetrating injuries require a comprehensive evaluation and management. Close monitoring and follow-up are crucial to ensure proper wound healing and resolution of any associated issues.

Keyword

Accidental Injuries; Child; Computed Tomography Angiography; Foreign Bodies; Wounds, Penetrating

Figure

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  Fig. 1. The foreign body, miswak, protruding from the floor of the mouth with minimal bleeding.

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  Fig. 2. Plain neck (anterior-posterior [A] and lateral [B] views) and chest (C) radiographs.

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  Fig. 3. Computed tomography and computed tomography angiography of the facial bone. The foreign body is indicated by arrows. The scans show the foreign body penetrating the floor of the mouth and reaching the parapharyngeal space near the palatine tonsil (not shown).

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  Fig. 4. Intraoperative (A) and postoperative (B) views of the miswak. It is 7 cm in length and 1 cm in width, in comparison to the number 15 blade of which size is 2.0 × 0.6 cm.

Reference

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