Migrating foreign body in an adult bronchus: An aspirated denture

Abstract

As a safety measure, dentures are routinely removed before surgery. Aspiration of a denture could be catastrophic, with medicolegal implications. Foreign body aspiration is uncommon in adults; however, aspirations may remain asymptomatic and undiagnosed for long periods of time. We report an adult male who presented with a cough for more than 6 months. On radiography, a foreign body was found migrating within the tracheobronchial tree from one mainstem bronchus to the other, at different time points. The foreign body was later found to be a portion of his denture. The aspiration may have occurred at the time of a surgical procedure.

Elevated carcinoembryonic antigen and bronchial obstruction caused by a rotten vegetable leaf mimic lung cancer: A case report

“…Additionally, Molina and other scholars' research on tumor markers indicated that the sensitivity is not high in lung cancer diagnosis with only increased CEA, especially for non-small-cell lung cancer. It is concluded that CEA is not a unique marker for the lung cancer 9,16,17. In this case, after the operation of removing the foreign body, the patient pul-monary infection was under control and CEA level was normal after 2 weeks later.…”

Impacted denture in the left bronchus: aspiration in an awake state

“…7,8 Rarely, as in the present case, aspiration may produce minimal or no symptoms. 3 Cough is a very common symptom in patients with an aspirated FB. 3 Inorganic materials such as those in a denture cause little tissue inflammation.…”

“…3 Cough is a very common symptom in patients with an aspirated FB. 3 Inorganic materials such as those in a denture cause little tissue inflammation. On the contrary organic aspirated materials present with symptoms due to the inflammatory reaction around them.…”

“…Compared to chest radiographs, chest computed tomography gives more definitive information like the site of impaction, presence of non-radio opaque part and evidence of other complications like pneumothorax, consolidation, atelectasis, and pleural effusion. 3 Although flexible bronchoscopic removal is also recommended in adults, rigid bronchoscopy is the most definitive method for foreign body removal from the pulmonary tree. 1 The rigid ventilating bronchoscope can maintain ventilation and provide stable airway control during the procedure.…”

“…1,2 Aspiration of a foreign body in an adult is usually associated with impaired cognition or alertness as in drug and alcohol intoxication. 3,4 This could occur during an epileptic episode or possibly when under general anesthesia or in a drunken state. Most common foreign body aspirations in a healthy and alert adult are food particles such as bone chips, nut shells, and food boluses.…”