Removal of an unexpected tracheal foreign body after five months.
Foreign body aspiration can produce serious pulmonary diseases. Timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment is important to prevent long-term complications in affected children. We report the case of a 15-month-old child with a 5-month history of regurgitation, vomiting, recurrent tracheobronchitis, and pneumonia. The diagnosis was gastroesophageal reflux. The laryngotracheal endoscopy revealed a rabbit vertebra partially obstructing the airway at the level of the cricoid cartilage. With a rigid bronchoscope and forceps equipped with a telescope, it was possible to disengage and extract the foreign body. Six months later endoscopic control revealed no residual alterations in the larynx and trachea.
Gentili
Andrea
A
Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care, Saint Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, Bologna University, Bologna, Italy.
Saggese
Domenico
D
Lima
Mario
M
Pigna
Antonia
A
Bachiocco
Valeria
V
Tancredi
Sonia
S
Baroncini
Simonetta
S
D001999:Bronchoscopy; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007828:Laryngoscopy; D008297:Male; D014132:Trachea / Q000473:pathology