Hidden For Two Decades: Man’s Sneezing Spells Solved By Unusual Discovery
A 23-year-old man from Xian, China, finally solved a mystery that had plagued him for over two decades of relentless sneezing and nasal congestion. His search for relief took an unexpected twist when doctors at Xian Gaoxin Hospital discovered a surprising culprit: a small dice lodged in his nasal passage.
Decades of Discomfort
Xiaoma, as the man is known, initially sought solace in traditional Chinese medicine for his chronic symptoms. Unfortunately, these traditional treatments only seemed to worsen his condition, prompting him to seek further medical attention.
Doctors initially diagnosed Xiaoma with allergic rhinitis, a common ailment causing nasal inflammation. However, a closer examination, including a nasal endoscopy performed by otolaryngologist Dr. Yang Rong, unveiled a startling truth hidden within his nasal cavity.
Unexpected Discovery Under the Microscope
During the endoscopy, the medical team discovered a small, white object coated in secretions. “During the nasal endoscopy, we discovered a foreign object – a white lump coated in secretions,” Dr. Yang explained. “Upon extraction, it turned out to be a two-cm dice, partially corroded from being lodged in his nasal cavity for an extended period. It was located in the lower nasal passage, causing damage to the nasal mucosa.”
The dice, firmly embedded within Xiaoma’s nasal tissues after two decades, posed a significant risk.
“The dice had adhered to the surrounding tissue, and its removal was risky because it could have fallen into his airway, posing a suffocation risk,” Dr. Yang added.
The complicated removal procedure required meticulous care to avoid potentially fatal consequences. Thankfully, the surgical team successfully extracted the foreign object, putting an end to its two-decade-long residence in Xiaoma’s nose.
A Childhood Memory Resurfaces
Xiaoma recalled an incident from his early childhood, around the ages of three or four, when he vaguely remembers possibly accidentally inhaling a dice. Although the exact details remained hazy, this childhood memory now offered a possible explanation for his long-standing nasal issues.
A Stark Warning for Parents
This unusual case serves as a stark reminder for parents about the potential dangers of small objects within a child’s reach. Doctors emphasized the importance of vigilance and immediate medical attention if a foreign object is suspected of entering a child’s nasal cavity.
“Parents should pay close attention to foreign objects in the nasal cavity,” they cautioned. “They can fall into the postnasal or airway, posing a life-threatening risk. Such situations typically require immediate emergency treatment.”
How did doctors identify the cause of Xiaoma’s symptoms?
## Hidden For Two Decades: Man’s Sneezing Spells Solved By Unusual Discovery
**Host:** Welcome back to the show. Today we’re joined by Dr. Sarah Chen, an ENT specialist, to discuss a truly bizarre case out of China. Dr. Chen, a 23-year-old man named Xiaoma recently discovered he had a dice stuck in his nose for over 20 years. How is something like that even possible?
**Dr. Chen:** Well, it’s certainly an unusual case. As children, many of us explore the world around us using our senses, and unfortunately, sometimes that involves putting things in our noses. It seems likely that Xiaoma placed the dice in his nose years ago as a child, and it somehow became lodged.
**Host:** He experienced chronic sneezing and congestion for years. Did he ever suspect something was lodged in there?
**Dr. Chen:** That’s right. He tried traditional Chinese medicine, but ultimately his symptoms worsened, leading him to seek further medical help at Xian Gaoxin Hospital. [[1](https://www.wionews.com/world/man-discovers-dice-stuck-in-nose-for-20-years-a-white-lump-779635) ]
**Host:** And that’s where the discovery was made. How did the doctors finally pinpoint the problem?
**Dr. Chen:** The doctors performed a nasal endoscopy, which allows them to visualize the inside of the nasal passage using a thin, flexible tube with a camera on the end. During the procedure, they discovered a small white object covered in secretions – the dice. [[1](https://www.wionews.com/world/man-discovers-dice-stuck-in-nose-for-20-years-a-white-lump-779635)]
**Host:** Incredible! What happened after they removed the dice?
**Dr. Chen:** Thankfully, after removing the dice, Xiaoma’s symptoms drastically improved. It’s a reminder that even seemingly minor issues can sometimes have unexpected and unusual causes.
