Spontaneous expulsion of nonopaque foreign body in tracheobronchial tree.

Abstract

THE DIAGNOSIS of foreign bodies in the tracheobronchial tree is made from the history, radiological findings, and physical examination. There are times, however, when reports on physical findings and radiological findings, if not interpreted properly, can be misleading unless the bronchoscopist checks and interprets the findings. Errors in diagnosis occasionally occur on the part of the examiners, sometimes due to unfamiliarity in what to look for in a given case. Therefore herewith is presented a case in kind to illustrate this pitfall in diagnosis. <h3>REPORT OF CASE</h3> H. E. (A-21650), a 4½-year-old boy, was admitted to the hospital on the morning of Oct. 1, 1953, with a bizarre history of having accidentally swallowed or aspirated a portion of a plastic toy that he had been sucking upon that morning at home. The child immediately developed a dry and nonproductive cough. This point was brought out by the mother. Further