Occult bronchial foreign body aspiration in adults: analysis of four cases

Occult tracheobronchial foreign body aspirations are infrequently seen in adults because there is usually a high index of suspicion. Occult foreign bodies can remain undetected for months to years and often are misdiagnosed. The aim of this paper is to report the cases of four adult patients with occult bronchial foreign body aspiration. None of the patients had a previous history of aspiration. One patient had been misdiagnosed as having asthma. One was thought to have tuberculosis, while unresolved pneumonia was present in another. A CXR showed the presence of a foreign body in only one patient because it was metallic. The foreign bodies included a stone, a tooth fragment, a bone fragment, and a needle. The foreign bodies were removed using a rigid bronchoscope in two patients and via a surgical procedure in the other two. In conclusion, tracheobronchial foreign body aspiration should always be taken into consideration in the differential diagnosis of radiographic lesions or chronic respiratory symptoms that are poorly explained, even in the absence of a previous history of aspiration.     

Endobronchial foreign bodies in Vietnamese adults are related to eating habits

Background and objective: A high percentage of bronchoscopically extracted foreign bodies in Ho Chi Minh City were pits of the sapote fruit, a finding previously unreported. This paper presents a review of foreign body extractions, which identifies the substances found, documents the diagnostic pathway and draws attention to the specific aspiration risk of the sapote pit. Methods: The records of 100 consecutive adults who were found to have a bronchial foreign body during flexible bronchoscopy were reviewed. Results: In 83% of patients, the foreign body extraction was performed more than 2 weeks after the aspiration had occurred. In only 34% of patients was the diagnosis of an aspirated foreign body considered early in the patient's clinical course. The most frequent foreign bodies found were sapote pits (41%), followed by small bones (38%). Foreign bodies were lodged more frequently in the right bronchial tree (64%). In 98% of patients, the foreign bodies were successfully removed with the flexible scope. There was one postoperative death, which was not ascribed to the procedure. Conclusions: Physicians need to consider foreign body aspirations when evaluating patients with recurrent pneumonia, unexplained cough or atelectasis. Awareness of this problem might lead to public health measures that could reduce the incidence of these aspirations.     

Foreign bodies in the esophagus. A study of causative factors

Two hundred and twenty-nine patients were studied in an attempt to determine the main causative factors behind their having a residual foreign body in the esophagus. Strictures were present in 13%. Fifty-two percent of the patients with stricture had been hospitalized more than once for treatment of foreign body impaction; this was the case in only 8.5% of the rest of the patients (p<0.001). More than half of the patients aged 15 years or younger had a foreign body in the hypopharynx. This location was extremely uncommon in adults (p<0.001). The hypothesis of spasm distal to an esophageal foreign body as the cause for obstruction in patients without esophageal stricture was supported by the following findings: spontaneous disimpaction occurred in more than one-third of the patients and became more frequent as time progressed; 63% of 16 patients given spasmolytic drugs experienced spontaneous disimpaction of the foreign body; half of the patients had the foreign body in the proximal esophagus distal to the narrower passage of the upper esophageal sphincter; foreign body impaction in the esophagus turned out to be a once-only event in 86% of the patients; and 21% of the patients had a disorder of the central nervous system and had been hospitalized significantly more often because of food impaction than the other patients. The findings indicate that adults with a history of impaction of foodstuff lacking sharp bones and who do not have stricture suffer food impaction because of spasm of the esophageal smooth muscle, and can be treated accordingly.     

Endoscopic Management for Delayed Diagnosis of a Foreign Body Penetrating the Esophagus into the Lung

A 31-year-old male presented with chest pain started after eating chicken about 2 weeks earlier. Upper endoscopy and Computed tomography scan of the chest revealed a sharp chicken bone penetrating the esophageal wall into the right lung. The foreign body was removed endoscopically using a rat-tooth forceps, followed by prophylactic placement of a metal stent across the esophageal perforation site. Foreign body-induced perforation is one of the common etiologies of benign esophageal perforations. Although the primary treatment is surgery, endoscopic therapy may be appropriate in individualized cases like our patient.     

多层螺旋CT检查对气道异物的诊断价值

目的：探讨多层螺旋CT对气道异物的诊断价值。方法对门诊收治疑似气管异物患者56例,给予多层螺旋CT检查,并与支气管镜检查作对照。结果多层螺旋CT检查共检出气道异物患者52例,1例误诊为肺炎,后经气管镜检查并取出异物,漏诊2例,假阳性1例。多层螺旋CT检查及气管镜对气道异物检出率差异无统计学意义（χ2＝0.61, P ＞0.05）。以支气管镜检查结果为金标准,螺旋 CT 灵敏度为96.23％,特异度为66.67％,诊断符合率为94.64％。结论多层螺旋CT检查气道异物,具有灵敏度高、符合率高特点,诊断时应结合病史、临床体征,以降低误诊率、漏诊率。儿童检查应以最低剂量扫描,避免辐射损伤。     

经纤维支气管镜取出成人气道异物56例

目的报道一组成人气道异物病例的临床特点和纤维支气管镜下取出异物的安全性及有效性。方法对我科2008年1月至2014年12月收治的56例成人气道异物患者的临床资料进行回顾性分析。结果成人气道异物56例,其中男性36例,女性20例,年龄平均(50.18±12.32)岁。31例患者(55.36%)否认异物吸人史。20例(35.71%)病程≤3天,22例(39.29%)3~7天,14例7~30天(25%)。以咳嗽为主要症状34例(60.71%)。50例接受局部麻下纤维支气管镜镜下治疗,成功取出气道异物;6例患者喉罩全麻下成功取出异物。异物来源为动物骨骼23例(41.07%),鱼骨7例(12.50%),坚果壳7例(12.50%),坚果肉6例(10.71%)、牙齿、义齿6例(10.71%),金属7例(12.50%)。异物相关并发症主要有气道肉芽增生42例(75.00%),阻塞性肺炎23例(41.07%),肺不张16例(28.57%)。操作过程中及治疗完成后气道出血40例(71.43%),无因异物和治疗导致死亡的病例。结论成人气道异物较儿童有不同临床特点,误吸史比率小,症状不典型,个别病例确诊时间长,容易误诊、漏诊。经纤维支气管镜取出成人气道异物安全、可行。     

The tracheobronchial foreign body in welder without the history of allotriophagy and foreign body aspiration

The typical chest computed tomography (CT) finding of the arc welders is ill‐defined micronodules diffusely distributed in the lung. We report a rare case of tracheobronchial foreign body in welder without the history of allotriophagy and foreign body aspiration. We used the CT and mineralogical analysis in diagnosis and the flexible fiberoptic bronchoscope in therapy. The CT showed bronchiectasis with pulmonary infiltration of the right lower lobe and high‐density shadow in the basal bronchus of the right lower lobe. The foreign bodies were removed by a fibreoptic bronchoscope. Semiquantitative chemical analyses showed that the constituent of foreign body was similar to the dregs which were collected in the same garage. This is an unusual case of the welding‐related respiratory diseases, which is different from Welder's siderosis and broncholith.     

Foreign body aspiration: What is the outcome?

Undiagnosed and retained foreign bodies may result in serious complications such as pneumonia, atelectasis, or bronchiectasis. We reviewed a total of 174 children with foreign body aspiration (FBA). Clinical, radiological, and bronchoscopic findings of these patients were evaluated according to the nature of foreign body and elapsed time from aspiration to diagnosis.Significant differences were noted between patients with organic and inorganic FBA in terms of clinical and radiological findings. Cough, recurrent pneumonia, and fever were the most common presenting symptoms in patients with delayed diagnosis. Long-term follow-up was available for 110 patients for a mean duration of 37.8 +/- 23.7 months (range, 1-88 months). We evaluated the course of recovery after bronchoscopic removal. Organic FBA was of comparable duration as for inorganic FBA, and prolonged follow-up was associated with increased risk of persistent symptoms and bronchiectasis (P < 0.001). The risk of long-term complications increased with increasing elapsed time from aspiration to diagnosis; complications were as high as 60% in children who were diagnosed 30 days after FBA (P = 0.0035). Bronchiectasis was a major complication, found in 25% of patients whose diagnosis was delayed by more than 30 days (P = 0.0001). Three patients with bronchiectasis underwent lobectomy. Patients with persistent asthma-like symptoms such as cough and wheezing required treatment with inhaled corticosteroids and bronchodilators. The positive response to this treatment was thought to be a confirmation of the development of transient bronchial hyperresponsiveness induced by foreign bodies.We conclude that timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment of FBA is important to prevent long-term complications in affected children.     

Subcutaneous emphysema secondary to foreign-body aspiration

Pneumomediastinum is uncommon in pediatric medical practice, outside the neonatal period. While asthma or respiratory infections are the most frequent underlying causes, it is important not to forget the possibility of foreign body aspiration, particularly after the clinical presentation.     

Tracheobronchial foreign bodies: presentation and management in children and adults.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: To compare the clinical and management aspects of tracheobronchial aspirated foreign body (AFB) removal in children and adults; to assess the influence of the operator's experience on the outcome of the procedure. DESIGN: A retrospective review of a 20-year experience (from 1976 to 1996). SETTING: A 900-bed university hospital. PATIENTS: Eighty-four children up to 8 years old (the child group) and 28 adult patients (the adult group). RESULTS: The peak incidence of foreign body aspiration occurred during the second year of life in the child group and during the sixth decade in the adult group. The symptoms at presentation were similar in both age groups, but the diagnosis was significantly delayed in the adults. The AFBs were lodged preferentially in the right bronchial tree only in the adults; a central location was predominant (but not at all exclusive) in the children. Atelectasis was more common in the adults, and air trapping was more common in the children. The most frequent procedure was rigid bronchoscopy; when a flexible bronchoscope was used, it was always in the adult patients. When the operator was less experienced, a failed first attempt at bronchoscopy and the need for a second procedure were significantly more frequent. CONCLUSIONS: At presentation, the symptoms seen with AFBs do not differ according to the age of the patient; however, the delay to diagnosis, the location of the AFBs, and the radiographic images differ between child and adult populations. The removal of AFBs in patients of all ages can be performed by the same operators. Because the outcome associated with these procedures improves when the operator is experienced, the removal of AFBs should be performed in medical centers that are capable of acquiring and maintaining the necessary expertise.     

无痛支气管镜取婴幼儿支气管异物的应用价值

目的探讨无痛支气管镜取婴幼儿支气管异物的应用价值。方法回顾性分析2013年4—7月我院收治的有支气管异物的患儿4例的临床资料,均采用无痛支气管镜进行手术治疗。结果 2例外形不规则异物以异物钳随支气管镜通过声门取出,2例外形圆钝异物以套圈取出,随后均行支气管灌洗,无声门水肿、出血、窒息等并发症,术后均经抗感染治疗1周痊愈。结论无痛纤维支气管镜能较安全地取出婴幼儿支气管异物,且可以减少或避免因患儿不合作造成的气道远端损伤的风险。     

儿童呼吸道异物合并纵隔气肿诊疗分析

目的探讨儿童呼吸道异物合并纵隔气肿的病因、影像学表现及治疗。方法对23例儿童呼吸道异物合并纵隔气肿的患者临床资料进行总结分析,对其发生纵隔气肿的原因、影像学表现以及麻醉、手术方式进行探讨。结果 23例呼吸道异物合并有纵隔气肿患儿,22例治愈,气肿吸收消退时间为7-10天,1例患儿术中呼吸循环衰竭,抢救无效死亡。结论对于咳嗽的患儿应意识到呼吸道异物的可能;纵隔气肿主要是由于异物在呼吸道内存留时间较长发生较严重感染所致。     

The "wandering needle"

Suspected aspiration of a radiopaque foreign body can easily be confirmed by a chest film. We report a case of a boy with chest-film confirmed aspiration of a needle into his right main bronchus, in whom no needle was found during bronchoscopy. In retrospect, the boy had expectorated the needle without noticing it in the interval between making the diagnosis and the actual bronchoscopy. We propose to reconfirm aspiration of a radiopaque foreign body by fluoroscopy shortly before commencing bronchoscopy.     

Endoscopic management of suspected esophageal foreign body in adults

Foreign bodies should not be allowed to remain in the esophagus beyond 24 hours after presentation. However, some patients with esophageal foreign body ingestion do not come to the hospital immediately and may delay medical intervention from the time of ingestion. The aim of this study was to investigate the outcomes of adults with suspected esophageal foreign body ingestion according to the time of ingestion and types of foreign bodies. A total of 326 adult patients (151 men and 175 women) were analyzed, and divided into two groups according to the time period: within or beyond 24 hours from ingestion to endoscopic intervention. A total of 172 patients (52.7%) were found to have ingested foreign bodies; 73.5% were removed smoothly, 10.3% were treated by push technique and 16.0% with failed retrieval received alternative treatments. A higher proportion of patients in the beyond‐24 hours group suffered from odynophagia (25.9 vs. 12.9%, P < 0.05). Negative identification of esophageal foreign bodies was more frequent in the beyond‐24 hours group (67 vs. 40.2%, P < 0.05), but these patients showed higher proportions of esophageal ulcers (21.1 vs. 7.2%, P < 0.05). The beyond‐24 hours group also showed a significantly higher rate of foreign bodies in the lower esophagus (40.0 vs. 15.3%, P < 0.05). Patients with esophageal food bolus impaction had significant delayed endoscopic intervention, longer therapeutic endoscopic time, higher proportions of esophageal cancer, stricture and fewer complications. Endoscopic intervention within 24 hours from the time of ingestion should be considered early in adults, because delaying intervention may produce more symptomatic esophageal ulcerations with odynophagia.     

Asymptomatic esophageal perforation by a coin in a child

Ingestion of coins by children is a common event that rarely causes serious complications. We present a case of asymptomatic esophageal perforation by a penny in a child who presented with wheezing six months after the ingestion. When esophagography and triple endoscopy failed to show the perforation, thoracotomy resulted in successful removal of the foreign body, which was encased in granulation tissue between the trachea and esophagus. Complications of foreign body ingestion are discussed.     

Tracheobronchial foreign bodies in adults

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To define the clinical spectrum of tracheobronchial foreign body aspiration in adults, assess predisposing conditions, evaluate the efficacy of bronchoscopy, and determine outcome and complications. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of a consecutive clinical series. SETTING: A tertiary care, referral-based medical center. PATIENTS: Sixty consecutive adult patients (over 16 years of age) evaluated for tracheobronchial foreign body aspiration. INTERVENTIONS: All 60 patients had bronchoscopic evaluation; 59 of them had foreign bodies identified and removal was attempted using either rigid or flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy. MAIN RESULTS: Of 60 consecutive patients, 25 had underlying impairment of protective airway mechanisms (primary neurologic disorders, trauma with loss of consciousness, or sedative or alcohol use). Fifty-seven were successfully managed with bronchoscopy. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy was successful in 14 of 23 patients, and rigid bronchoscopy was successful in 43 of 44 patients, including 6 of 7 patients in whom previous fiberoptic bronchoscopy had failed. Thoracotomy was required in 3 patients. Complications of bronchoscopy were rare and not serious. Chronic complications of prolonged foreign body impaction included bronchiectasis in 3 patients. CONCLUSIONS: Although rare, tracheobronchial foreign body aspiration in adults can occur in various clinical settings. High clinical suspicion is necessary for diagnosis. Removal of foreign bodies can usually be accomplished with bronchoscopy.     

Foreign body removal using flexible bronchoscopy in terminal cancer: A case report

Rationale:Pulmonary foreign body aspiration is a serious medical problem. The risk of foreign body aspiration into the airways increases considerably in patients with end stage cancer with reduced consciousness and impaired airway reflexes. However, few studies have reported on foreign body aspiration in the airways in patients with terminal cancer or receiving end-of-life care. Herein, we report the use of flexible bronchoscopy in patients with end-of-life cancer with pulmonary aspiration.Patient concerns:A 71-year-old man with neuroendocrine carcinoma was admitted to a palliative care unit for end-of-life care. He accidentally aspirated implant teeth into the airway with decreased consciousness and death rattle.Diagnosis:On chest x-ray, the foreign material was observed in the left main bronchus.Interventions:Despite concerns regarding the use of bronchoscopy given the deterioration of the overall organ function, flexible bronchoscopy was performed.Outcomes:Eventually, the foreign body was removed using a basket in the nasal cavity without major complications. The patient died comfortably after 7 days.Lessons:The possibility of patients in the palliative care unit with reduced consciousness and death rattle to aspirate foreign bodies into the airways must be carefully considered. Flexible bronchoscopy should be considered to carefully remove aspirated foreign bodies in the airway without any side effects, even in patients with terminal cancer or receiving end-of-life care.     

Inflammatory pseudopapilloma after recurring aspiration of fruit stones as rare differential diagnosis of bronchogenic cancer

We present the case of a 51-year old man with drug-resistant pneumonia in the upper right lobe, weight loss and a 50-pack year history of cigarette smoking who underwent bronchoscopy. By clinical and radiological findings bronchogenic cancer was assumed. Fiberbronchoscopy showed an exophytic tumor-like mass obliterating the right upper lobe. Biopsies revealed an epithelial pseudopapillomatous tumor with multiple mucosal dysplasia and metaplasia. A second bronchoscopy in order to remove the lesion revealed a foreign body embedded in the tissue which could be removed easily. The foreign body proved to be a cherry stone, after its removal pneumonia resolved completely. In the same patient this lesion was recurrent one year later after aspiration of a grape seed. We present this case to emphasize the relationship between foreign body aspiration and inflammatory pseudopapilloma as a sequela of the inflammatory insult provoked by foreign bodies. Bronchoscopy is mandatory and may obviate misdiagnosis and thoracotomy. The use of inhaled and systemic steroids can be used to facilitate successful endoscopic extraction.     

A subglottic foreign body mimicking croup: A case report

Introduction:Foreign body (FB) aspiration is one of the causes of respiratory distress in infants is an extremely dangerous and potentially life-threatening event. The diagnosis of FB aspiration is difficult because the signs and symptoms vary according to the degree of airway blockage or location of the FB.Patient concerns:An 11-month-old female infant visited a hospital because of a sudden onset cough. She was relatively healthy without fever, rhinorrhea cyanosis, or poor feeding. On physical examination, auscultation revealed inspiratory stridor without wheezing and crackles.Diagnosis:Croup was suspected when considering the history, physical examination, and imaging. However, she did not respond to a 4-day course of treatment for croup. Flexible laryngoscopic examination was performed, and we identified a thin, flat, and sharp FB embedded in the subglottic region.Interventions:Emergency surgery was performed to remove the FB. Short-term intravenous corticosteroids and antibiotics were used to prevent laryngeal swelling and aspiration pneumonia.Outcomes:One week after the procedure, the laryngeal mucosa had completely healed.Conclusion:FB aspiration should be considered in an infant with an impression of croup. In particular, if there is no response to medical or conservative treatment for croup, further evaluation is needed.