Inhaled foreign bodies in a paediatric population at AKTH Kano-Nigeria

Abstract

Background:Inhaled foreign bodies are common paediatric emergencies and a major cause of accidental deaths at home among Nigerian children especially among children below the age of 5 years. Different types of foreign bodies have been reported from the ordinary to the most bizarre. We evaluated the types of foreign bodies and sites of possible impaction of these foreign bodies along the tracheobronchial tree.Materials and Methods:A 6-year case record of 35 patients with foreign body inhalation was reviewed from January 2005 to December 2010 at the Otorhinolaryngology Department of Bayero University/Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano — North-western Nigeria. Basic information such as date of birth, age groups, gender, indication for bronchoscopy, type of foreign bodies, sites of foreign body impaction and surgical outcome were extracted and analysed.Results:Thirty-five patients [18 (51.4%) males and 17 (48.6%) females, aged 6 months-10 years] with a mean age of 5.1 years and median of 5 years (+/- 3.0 Standard Deviation). The most affected age group with 31.4% is 3-5 years. Groundnuts and whistles were the most frequently inhaled foreign bodies with an equal frequency of 25.7%, respectively. Foreign bodies were preferentially lodged in the left main bronchus in 8 (22.9%) patients compared to the right main bronchus in 6 (17.1%) patients.Conclusion:Public enlightenment both in the news/print media on the risk of foreign body aspiration especially among the under-five's is highly advocated. The left main bronchus may be a common site for impaction as well.

Vagal reflex stimulation complicating retrieval of an unusual foreign body from the laryngotracheal lumen: Case report

“…Our patient belongs to under-five age group, which is known for high risk of foreign body in the Ear, Nose and throat region because of their curiosity and habitual exploration of body orifices with objects. Although commonly aspirated objects are coins, fish bone, toy parts, pins and needles [2,5], our patient aspirated an unusually bent rusted 6-inches nail which size and shape one would ordinarily consider impossible for a 4 year old infant to swallow or aspirate. Cobanoglu et al demonstrated that any object held with the lips could be propelled into the airway by coughing, taking a deep breath, laughing or speaking [6].…”

“…Foreign body aspiration is a common cause of accidental death in the paediatric age group worldwide; the under-five age group are the most at risk [1,2]. It often presents as an emergency, necessitating prompt surgical intervention.…”

“…It often presents as an emergency, necessitating prompt surgical intervention. However, in most cases the event leading to aspiration or ingestion of FB by the child is not witnessed by adult [2,3]. Hence, diagnosis is delayed with higher risk of complications and fatality.…”

“…In the united state, foreign body in the aero digestive tract is the sixth most common cause of accidental death; accounting for 500-3000 paediatric mortality per year [4]. Majority of such death occur before getting to the hospital due to poor awareness among caregivers and delayed diagnosis [1,2]. Retrieval under general anaesthesia could also be fraught with surgical or anaesthetic complications with resultant morbidity and mortality.…”

Accidental aspiration of endodontic file: a dreaded but a preventable complication

“…Besides common causes like infection, lung neoplasms, bronchiectasis, a wide variety of other causes are seen and idiopathic in up to 30% cases. 14 [15][16][17] Though mostly ingested foreign bodies pass through the GI tract uneventfully. They might lead to dysphagia, odynophagia, coughing, gagging, drooling of saliva, chest pain, muscle incoordination, incessant twitching, nausea, hematemesis, and regurgitation.…”