Pediatric Rigid Bronchoscopy for Foreign Body Removal

Abstract

PhiliPPine Journal of otolaryngology-head and neck Surgery 39 Rigid bronchoscopy is a procedure that is performed in order to directly visualize the upper and lower airway and is carried out for either a diagnostic or therapeutic purpose. Suspected foreign body (FB) aspiration is the most common indication for performing this procedure in the pediatric age group at the Philippine Children’s Medical Center where a recent census (May 2008 to April 2009) showed that of 21 cases where rigid bronchoscopy was performed, 10 were for suspected FB aspiration. A review of 101 cases in the same institution showed that the average age of patients with FB aspiration was 2 years and the most common item aspirated was a peanut followed by the atis (sweetsop) seed and chicken bone chips. The most common inorganic foreign body was an earring and “whistle” (which broke off from a toy).1 It is more common in males probably because of their usually more active nature and is frequently found in the right mainstem bronchus where the FB more easily lodges being straighter, shorter and wider in diameter. FBs are life-threatening events in children that require early diagnosis and prompt successful management.2 A good history, physical examination and analysis of diagnostic tests are vital in every situation. In most cases, the child’s aspiration of the foreign object is a witnessed event 3 and this history of aspiration is the most sensitive diagnostic tool. The main symptoms include choking, prolonged cough and dyspnea. Abnormal physical examination findings are found in 67% to 80% of cases and include unilaterally decreased breath sounds, wheezing and stridor.2,4 Radiographic procedures may show abnormal findings in only about 68-86% of cases.4,5 The most useful radiographs requested are the chest posteroanterior (anteroposterior in infants and small children) and lateral views which may help localize the impaction site when the object aspirated is radiopaque.3 However, most inhaled FBs are radiolucent and their presence can be suspected by obtaining inspiration and expiration views to demonstrate unilateral hyperinflation. Other suggestive features include atelectasis, pneumothorax and pneumonia. These indirect radiologic features of FB inhalation are present in 76% of cases.2, Where inspiration and expiration views cannot be obtained, as in very young children, left and right decubitus views may be helpful. 6 Fluoroscopic studies may also be obtained along with the plain radiographs, however, specificity and sensitivity are not very high.4 Virtual bronchoscopy may also be used in patients with suspected FB aspiration. Virtual bronchoscopy which uses multislice computerized tomography (MDCT) with realistic 3-dimensional reconstruction may be helpful in detecting and localizing the FB prior Pediatric Rigid Bronchoscopy for Foreign Body Removal Maria Rina T. Reyes-Quintos, MD, MClinAud1,2