Aspiration of a primary tooth in a patient with a tracheostomy.
Aspiration of a foreign object is uncommon in a patient with a tracheostomy. The following case history describes the consequences of failure to diagnose an aspirated object and how the aspiration of an exfoliated tooth can occur despite the presence of a tracheostomy tube. Dentists play an important role in preventing foreign body aspiration in debilitated patients.
Steelman
R
R
Department of Pediatrics, West Virginia University, School of Medicine, Morgantown 26506, USA.
Millman
E
E
Steiner
M
M
Gustafson
R
R
D001980:Bronchi; D001995:Bronchography; D001999:Bronchoscopy; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000150:complications; D002648:Child; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011015:Pneumonia, Aspiration / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D014080:Tooth Exfoliation / Q000150:complications; D014094:Tooth, Deciduous / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014139:Tracheostomy