TITLE:
Accidental Denture Ingestion: An Unusual Complication of Acute Ischemic Stroke
AUTHORS:
Marouane Jidal, Youssef Mezzour, Youssef Halhoul, Zaynab Bellamlik, Imad El Azzaoui, Mourad Ababou, Anasss Elbouti, Nawfal Doghmi
KEYWORDS:
Stroke, Dysphagia, Denture Ingestion, Case Report
JOURNAL NAME:
Case Reports in Clinical Medicine,
Vol.14 No.9,
September
15,
2025
ABSTRACT: Introduction: Dysphagia is a frequent complication of acute ischemic stroke, predisposing patients to aspiration pneumonia, malnutrition, and occasionally foreign body ingestion. Denture ingestion in this context is rare but may lead to life-threatening complications, especially if diagnosis is delayed. Case presentation: We report the case of a 70-year-old man with a history of smoking and poorly controlled hypertension, admitted for acute right middle cerebral artery infarction. He presented with decreased consciousness, left hemiplegia, dysphagia, hoarseness, hypersalivation, and hypoxemia. Chest CT, initially performed to investigate suspected aspiration pneumonia, unexpectedly revealed an intra-esophageal foreign body corresponding to the patient’s missing removable partial denture made of acrylic resin with metallic clasps. An initial attempt at endoscopic extraction failed, and signs of esophageal wall perforation were detected on CT. Surgical removal via cervical esophagotomy with feeding jejunostomy was performed successfully. Postoperative recovery was uneventful, and the patient continued neurological rehabilitation. At three-month follow-up, he remained with residual left hemiparesis and mild aphasia. Discussion: Although denture ingestion is uncommon, it may complicate post-stroke dysphagia. Diagnostic delay is frequent, particularly with radiolucent prostheses. In this case, the partial denture was potentially visible on plain radiographs, but CT was chosen directly due to the acute respiratory context, allowing both diagnosis and detection of esophageal perforation. Few similar cases have been reported in the literature, and to our knowledge, this is the first describing esophageal perforation requiring surgical management in a stroke patient. Conclusion: Accidental denture ingestion should be considered in stroke patients with dysphagia and missing prostheses. CT imaging plays a crucial role in diagnosis and assessment of complications. Early recognition and prompt management are essential to prevent severe outcomes.