Hidden foreign body in an unexplained asthma

A Asma,Bs Goh,Wza Rusydi

doi:10.3329/bjo.v18i2.12017

Abstract

Foreign body aspiration (FBA) is a common condition with potential to cause significant morbidity and mortality. In children, highest incidence is within the first 3 years of life. Without witnessed aspiration or acute symptoms such as choking, coughing or respiratory distress, it may go unnoticed as clinical presentation and radiological investigations generally have low diagnostic value. Delay in diagnosis increases the risk of developing severe complications. Unexplained recurring or persistent lung pathologies in this age group should raise suspicion of FBA, and early bronchoscopy is warranted for confirmation of diagnosis. We report a case of FBA in a 2-year-old boy whom had been symptomatic for 3 months and was treated as bronchial asthma prior to diagnosis of foreign body in the left bronchus. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjo.v18i2.12017 Bangladesh J Otorhinolaryngol 2012; 18(2): 200-202

Highlights

Foreign body aspiration is a common and potentially fatal accident
Chest X-ray showed a radiopaque spring-like foreign body situated in the left main bronchus
Rigid bronchoscopy was done under general anesthesia, revealed a small metal spring in the left main bronchus

Summary

Introduction

Foreign body aspiration is a common and potentially fatal accident. According to the National Safety Council, it is the fourth leading cause of death due to unintentional injury in the United States in 2004, and the mortality rate was estimated to be 1.5 per 100,000 population[1]. Introduction: Foreign body aspiration is a common and potentially fatal accident. Classical history consists of choking episode followed by coughing, wheezing, stridor, or acute respiratory distress[2]. In children, the acute event may go unnoticed, and foreign body aspiration may be mimicked as other illness Case report: A 2-year-old boy presented with history of persistent non-productive cough for 3 months, followed by fever in past 1 week associated with occasional noisy breathing.

Results

Conclusion