Foreign‐Body Aspiration in the Adult: Presentation and Management

Abstract

Nonasphyxiating foreign-body aspiration in adults can be difficult to diagnose because the symptoms are nonspecific and chest x-rays may be normal due to organic composition of the foreign bodies. The diagnosis is often made via flexible bronchoscopy; however, debate remains as to whether rigid or flexible bronchoscopy is the optimal method of extraction. The authors describe a patient who was initially referred for assessment of a calcified left mainstem bronchus mass identified only on computed tomography scan of the thorax. The patient underwent flexible bronchoscopy and was discovered to have a bone fragment wedged in the bronchus for a duration of 22 years, which was successfully removed via rigid bronchoscope.

An unusual case of chronic cough: Professional liability in dentistry?

“…We have detected few cases in the literature in which there is a so ample time between the event of aspiration of a foreign body and the diagnosis [5], [6], [7], [8], [9], [10], [11], [12], [13]. The discussion about the professional liability undertakes special evidence: a) the fake dentist immediately denied the possibility that the synthetic polymer has been aspirated and did not conduct further investigations; b) the doctors who performed afterward then underestimated the statements and the symptoms of the patient; c) none of the questioned doctors in the course of medical history prescribed a CT scan examination despite the persistent cough referred by the patient.…”

The anesthesia of trachea and bronchus surgery

“…Bronchopleural and bronchopleural cutaneous fistulas and subcutaneous emphysema are possible rare complications because of foreign body aspiration (58,59). The definitive diagnosis includes chest X-ray imaging and CT (60). In chronic aspiration history, granulation tissue may occur around the foreign body.…”

Aspiração de Corpo Estranho no Idoso

“…2 Contudo, quando esta falha, por exemplo no caso de o corpo estranho estar impregnado com tecido de granulação ou quando há hemoptises importantes, deve ser feita a broncoscopia rígida. Não existe consenso quanto ao tipo de broncoscopia ideal para extração, 5 pelo que o broncoscopista deve dominar as duas técnicas para ser capaz de converter imediatamente o tipo de procedimento, sempre que necessário.…”

“…5 A hiperinsuflação unilateral pode ser observada na telerradiografia do tórax, principalmente em crianças. 6 Outros achados radiológicos em adultos, poderão ser áreas de consolidação, derrame pleural e corpo estranho radiopaco (na maioria, peças dentárias) visível, frequentemente, ao nível do brônquio principal direito.…”