Migration of schrapnel from lung to bronchus.
Erosion of metallic foreign bodies from the pulmonary parenchyma into a bronchus is rare. In this case, bronchoscopic removal of the shrapnel was possible 64 years after the injury. The 89-year-old veteran enjoys life and has had no further pulmonary problems one year after bronchoscopic removal of a metallic foreign body. Possibly this is the oldest patient on record to have had a foreign body erode into a bronchus and to have undergone removal through a rigid bronchoscope.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001980:Bronchi; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy*; D005548:Foreign-Body Migration / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung; D008297:Male; D008670:Metals; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D013898:Thoracic Injuries / Q000150:complications; D014857:Warfare
D008670:Metals