Suspected foreign body inhalation in children: what are the indications for bronchoscopy?
OBJECTIVE
To define the criteria for bronchoscopy in children with suspected foreign body (FB) inhalation.


METHODS
Health history, physical examination, and radiologic examination were performed before bronchoscopy in all children referred for suspected FB inhalation between 2003 and 2005.


RESULTS
A total of 142 children, ranging in age from 3 months to 14 years (median age, 20 months), were referred with a history of suspected FB inhalation. An FB was found in 42 children with abnormal physical and radiologic findings, in 17 children with abnormal physical or radiologic findings, and in 2 children with normal physical and radiologic finding but persistent cough. Bronchoscopy revealed no FB in the children with normal physical and radiologic examinations and no symptoms (n = 16).


CONCLUSIONS
In children with a history of choking, bronchoscopy is mandatory in the presence of persistent symptoms, such as cough, dyspnea, and fever, or any abnormal physical or chest radiography findings. Bronchoscopy is not necessary in asymptomatic children with normal physical and radiographic examinations.
Cohen
Shlomo
S
Institute of Pulmonology, Hadassah Ein Kerem, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Centers, Jerusalem, Israel.
Avital
Avraham
A
Godfrey
Simon
S
Gross
Menachem
M
Kerem
Eitan
E
Springer
Chaim
C
D000293:Adolescent; D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000209:etiology; D001999:Bronchoscopy; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003371:Cough / Q000209:etiology; D003657:Decision Making; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000209:etiology; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D005260:Female; D005334:Fever / Q000209:etiology; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D001239:Inhalation; D008168:Lung / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011859:Radiography; D012135:Respiratory Sounds / Q000209:etiology; D012798:Sialorrhea / Q000209:etiology
D010100:Oxygen