Airway foreign bodies: a diagnostic challenge

Foreign bodies can become lodged anywhere in the air passages, depending on their size, shape, and makeup. Symptoms of laryngeal foreign body inhalation can vary greatly but usually include one or more of the following: hoarseness, croupy cough, stridor, wheezing, dyspnea, cyanosis, hemoptysis, aphonia, odynophagia, or a subjective feeling of the presence of a foreign substance. Foreign body inhalation occurs most often in children and the elderly. The symptoms of bronchial foreign body inhalation are very similar to those of laryngeal foreign body inhalation. Usually, after the initial expression of acute symptoms, a period of quiescence follows during which little or no evidence of a problem is manifest. It is during this period of subtle symptoms that treatment is often mistakenly directed toward an infectious cause. The authors describe two unusual cases, one of laryngeal and one of bronchial foreign body ingestion. They also discuss their diagnosis and management.     

Peritoneal lavage: a useful diagnostic adjunct for peritonitis

Diagnostic peritoneal lavage (DPL) was used to aid in the rapid diagnosis of peritonitis in 138 patients for whom standard diagnostic criteria were not applicable because the patients had altered sensorium, were elderly, or had multiple medical problems. There were abnormal results in 77 patients, and all but one patient had peritonitis. Sixty-five patients had lesions that could be cured only by operative means; 54% of this group of extremely ill patients survived. Of 61 patients with negative results of DPL, only one had intraperitoneal inflammation (acute cholecystitis), which occurred 4 days after DPL. We believe DPL is a useful procedure for the detection of peritonitis in a critically ill subset of patients for whom the standard diagnostic criteria were not available.     

Diagnosis, management and complications of oesophageal and airway foreign bodies

A five-year experience at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital with 52 patients with oesophageal foreign bodies, six patients with airway foreign bodies and two patients with both oesophageal and airway obstruction from foreign bodies is presented. Our use of jet anaesthetic ventilation for endoscopic removal of airway foreign bodies, clinical features and management problems of foreign body patients are also presented. Oesophageal diameters at six levels including those known conventionally as constrictions and dilatations were measured at autopsy in 40 foetuses and neonates constituting a randomized quarter of a larger series. Oesophageal diameters were found to be wider just below the cricopharyngeus muscle than at the bronchoaortic constriction or midway between this constriction and the cricopharyngeus. The conclusion is drawn that the frequent impaction of foreign bodies at the so-called superior oesophageal constriction has little or no anatomical basis referrable to oesophageal diameters as measured in the cadaver.     

Colorectal foreign bodies: a systematic review

Aim To perform a systematic review of the published reports on retained colorectal foreign bodies (CFBs) to collate the features and formulate a simple management plan based on the available evidence. Method An extensive search was carried out to identify articles on CFBs. The search was carried out on electronic databases Cinahl, Embase, Medline, PubMed and PsychInfo from 1950 to January 2009. Internet journals were also scoured and a general search was carried out using the search engine ‘Google’. Papers published in languages other than English were not included. Results This review covers a total of 193 patients with 196 presentations. There were 188 men and 5 women, a ratio of approximately 37:1. The mean age at presentation was 44.1 years (SD 16.6) in the single case reports and 39.3, 40 and 60.8 years in the three case series. Household objects, such as bottles and glasses, accounted for the largest percentage (42.2%) of inserted objects. Presentation for treatment occurred most often within 24 h of insertion and the majority of objects were removed transanally using manual manipulation with or without the use of a variety of tools, or via a scope. Conclusions The incidence of CFBs is disproportionately higher in men. Various techniques for removal are available, including some that are minimally invasive. The appropriate technique will depend on the size and surface of the retained object and the presence of complications such as perforation or obstruction.     

Surgery for intra-bronchial foreign bodies

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the results of surgical treatment of intra-bronchic foreign bodies after unsuccessful endoscopic extraction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifteen patients underwent surgical treatment of intra-bronchic foreign bodies in our department during a period of 10 years. There was 9 males and 6 females, the mean age was 20.27 years (range between 5 and 39 years), there were 8 right localizations and 7 left. The recurrent pulmonary infections were most frequent complaint of patients. RESULTS: Twelve pulmonary resections (including one pneumonectomy) were necessary because of the importance of pulmonary parenchyma destruction. There was one post-operative complication (one empyema) and the peri-operative mortality was nul. CONCLUSION: Surgical treatment of intra-bronchic foreign bodies must be used only after unsuccessful endoscopic extraction. The preventive measures are the best treatment.     

Video-mediastinoscope: for extracting upper esophageal foreign bodies

Patients with esophageal foreign bodies require prompt diagnosis and therapy. The proximal dilatation method using a video-mediastinoscope is safe and effective in removing sharp foreign bodies from the upper esophagus, avoiding surgery and possible perforation. The technique using a video-mediastinoscope proved to be effective and safe; this may be the first use of this procedure in the literature. We recommend using video-mediastinoscope for extracting foreign bodies involving the upper esophagus narrowing.     

Nasal foreign bodies in children: a possible pitfall for the anesthesiologist

Based on a recent surprising case in our institution, we analyze the possible dislodgment of an unknown foreign body in the nose during nasotracheal intubation in children. Nasal foreign bodies made of inert material can remain unnoticed for a long period of time. In addition to inserting a close-fitting suction catheter into the TT during its passage through the nasopharynx, we now suggest performing a pharyngoscopy when intubation is completed.     

Inhaled foreign bodies: first aid

In the last 30 years 1,484,576 patients with traumatic lesions of different kind of seriousness were observed and managed. By mean of retrospective investigation, the authors selected and statistically analysed a sample of 95 patients treated for accidental tracheobronchial foreign bodies inhalation: authors' aim was to punctually determinate--step by step--diagnosis and treatment procedure in a "time-saving" frame. Inhalation of foreign bodies is a very dangerous event, particularly in children. In authors' experience, in 60% of cases they were children under 3 years; in 25% of cases children under 10; in 10% patients from 10 to 60 and in 4.5% over 60. As regards the gender of the patients, the male/female ratio has been 2 to 1 in favour of male. Since 85% of the study population was represented by children under 10, its clear that male children in this range of age has a greater statistical risk for accidental tracheobronchial foreign bodies inhalation.     

Intravesical foreign bodies: five-year review.

All manner of foreign bodies have been extracted from the bladder. Introduction into the bladder may be through self-insertion, iatrogenic means or migration from adjacent organs. Extraction should be tailored according to the nature of the foreign body and should minimise bladder and urethral trauma. Complete extraction should also be confirmed by panendoscopy at the end of the extraction procedure. A 5-year review of our experience in this field has been conducted and the management and complications of intravesical foreign bodies are described. Of the 15 patients presenting to this department, 11 presented acutely and 4 presented with chronic symptoms due to complications which arose later. The possibility of an intravesical foreign body should be considered in any patient with chronic unexplained lower urinary tract symptoms.     

Nasal foreign bodies in children: considerations for the anesthesiologist

The combination of a curious young child exploring his/her nasal cavities, with the abundance of small inert and natural objects in our society, culminates in a significant number of nasal foreign bodies (NFBs). Usually NFBs are benign entities, yielding relatively simple resolutions and mild morbidities. However, their presence can lead to much more serious consequences if they are inserted unwitnessed, grow asymptomatically for several months or years, and significantly affect surrounding tissues. Moreover, if these substances become displaced posteriorly and enter the lower respiratory tract, dire circumstances may occur. This article discusses the different types of NFBs, various clinical presentations, diagnosis, pathophysiology, and pertinent considerations for the anesthesia care provider. Increasing one's awareness of the implications of NFBs, can optimize the safe treatment of patients harboring this development.     

Gastric foreign bodies: no longer a cross to bear.

Flexible video gastroscopy can be combined with laparoscopic techniques to aid extraction of difficult gastric foreign bodies. A case is presented describing this technique.     

Emergency video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for intrathoracic foreign bodies

The aim of this retrospective study is to highlight the advantages of video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) in the assessment of thoracic trauma. In the past 4 years 3 patients had intrapleural or intrapulmonary Kirschner needles which penetrated from the site of a previous humeroscapular osteosynthesis and one patient with a gunshot projectile and haemothorax in the left thorax. They were treated by VATS removal of intrathoracic foreign bodies. No complications developed postoperatively, the chest wall pain was minimal, the duration of hospital stay (3-5 days) and recovery was short. The widespread use of minimal invasive VATS procedure is an alternative approach that provides safe and less invasive operation for acute chest trauma patients. We believe that its extended use for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes even in some special circumstances is justified today.