Management of suspected foreign body aspiration in children

Diagnostic evaluation of foreign body aspiration in children: a prospective study

“…If the history is suggestive but no clinical and radiological signs are present, the decision is more difficult and some physicians might be reluctant to perform a bronchoscopy. Dunn et al [6] performed a survey between otolaryngologists and found that in such cases with suspected organic FBs, 52% would bronchoscope immediately, 38% would observe, and 10% would discharge, whereas with inorganic FB, 42% would observe and 23% would discharge. There are very few prospective trials that discuss this issue.…”

Value of chest CT in the diagnosis and management of tracheobronchial foreign bodies

“…Because of the high risk associated with overlooked foreign body aspiration, bronchoscopy is often performed for definitive diagnosis and treatment, even when there is little suspicion or a questionable history 6,7 . Although bronchoscopy is generally simple and safe in pediatric patients, serious complications such as pneumothorax, pneumonia, respiratory distress, cardiac arrest, pneumomediastinum, tracheal laceration, subglottic edema and death may occur in children, even when performed by experienced physicians 8–10 …”

Sharpener blade: An unusual tracheobronchial sharp foreign body in a child

“…Laryngeal and subglottic foreign bodies need urgent intervention in the form of tracheostomy or urgent bronchoscopy, whereas foreign bodies in the right or left main bronchus cause comparatively less airway problem. [4]…”