Case series of bronchoscopic removal of tracheobronchial foreign body in six adults.
Tracheobronchial foreign body is rare in adults. Diagnosis is difficult and requires a high index of suspicion. We report 6 cases of tracheobronchial foreign bodies in adults and their removal, as well as a literature review of this topic. Case records, chest radiographs and computed tomographies (CT) of the thorax were reviewed. There were 5 males and 1 female with a median age of 63.5 years. One patient could not protect his airway (tracheostomy). Foreign bodies were sutures (2), vegetable matter like peanuts, vegetables and popcorn (3), and a voice prosthesis. Main symptoms were cough, haemoptysis and breathlessness. There were few signs on physical examination and chest X-rays were not helpful in diagnosis. All patients had fibreoptic bronchoscopy although 3 subsequently required rigid bronchoscopy for foreign body removal. All foreign bodies were successfully removed without any complications.
Loo
C M
CM
Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore.
Hsu
A A
AA
Eng
P
P
Ong
Y Y
YY
D000368:Aged; D001980:Bronchi; D001999:Bronchoscopy; D005260:Female; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014132:Trachea