Clinical presentation, diagnosis and management of aerodigestive tract foreign bodies in the paediatric population: Part 2.

Rishi P Mathew,Vimal Patel,Gavin Low,Ahamed Kabeer,Teresa I-Han Liang

doi:10.4102/sajr.v25i1.2027

Abstract

Children, especially toddlers, because of their behaviour, physiology and anatomical characteristics such as oral exploration of their surroundings, have a tendency to place objects in their mouth. Therefore, ingestion or aspiration of foreign bodies (FBs) in children is a potentially life-threatening and common problem seen across the world. In this second part of our pictorial review on ingested and aspirated FBs, we focus on the paediatric population, reviewing the current literature and examining the epidemiology, clinical presentation, anatomic considerations, appropriate imaging modalities, key imaging characteristics associated with clinically relevant FBs in the emergency department (ED) and current management protocols.

Highlights

Aerodigestive foreign bodies (FBs) in the paediatric population are potentially life threatening and are frequently encountered in hospital emergency rooms (ERs)
This article reviews the current literature for common presentations of both FB ingestion and aspiration, as well as the current recommendations for their appropriate evaluation and management
In most cases (80% – 90%), the FB will pass through the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) without requiring intervention, 10% – 20% will require endoscopically assisted FB retrieval and 1% will require surgical intervention for the extraction of a FB or to treat a complication.[2,3]

Summary

Introduction

Aerodigestive foreign bodies (FBs) in the paediatric population are potentially life threatening and are frequently encountered in hospital emergency rooms (ERs). Identification of these FBs in the aerodigestive tract can be challenging because of non-specific symptoms, lack of a clear history or a combination of both. Imaging plays a crucial role in the diagnosis of ingested and aspirated FBs in children and can be vital in guiding the clinical management of these patients. This article reviews the current literature for common presentations of both FB ingestion and aspiration, as well as the current recommendations for their appropriate evaluation and management

Discussion

Findings

Conclusion