Food allergy masquerading as foreign body obstruction.
BACKGROUND
Allergic reactions to peanut and tree nuts can present as upper airway obstruction.


OBJECTIVE
To increase awareness that food allergy should be considered in the differential diagnosis of upper airway obstruction in children.


METHODS
We report an allergic reaction to cashew that was initially misdiagnosed as foreign body aspiration.


RESULTS
When the presenting signs and symptoms of food allergy are limited to upper airway obstruction, they can be confused with foreign body aspiration.


CONCLUSIONS
As peanuts and tree nuts are common causes of both food allergy and foreign body aspiration in children, both of these diagnoses should be considered in the differential diagnosis of airway obstruction.
Nguyen
Anh Dai K
AD
Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison Medical School, Madison, Wisconsin, USA. luyjs@yahoo.com
Gern
James E
JE
D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D031021:Anacardium / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D021184:Nut Hypersensitivity / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology