title: Tracheobronchial foreign bodies in children: imaging assessment.
abstract: Tracheobronchial foreign-body aspiration is a relatively frequent pediatric emergency and a cause of substantial morbidity and mortality especially in preschool children. Although foreign-body aspiration may cause sudden airway obstruction and subsequent death, quite often symptoms are mild and nonspecific; therefore, the correct diagnosis may be delayed particularly in the pediatric population. A delay in diagnosis increases the rate of complications and can cause substantial morbidity. Early and accurate diagnosis combined with intervention through foreign-body retrieval is critical for proper patient management. For evaluation of both radiopaque and non-radiopaque airway foreign bodies in pediatric patients, imaging plays an important role in initial detection and follow-up evaluation. In this article, we discuss the currently available imaging modalities and techniques for evaluating tracheobronchial foreign bodies in infants and children. Imaging findings of various tracheobronchial foreign bodies and mimics of foreign bodies are also discussed. In addition, information regarding management of tracheobronchial foreign-body aspiration is included.
authors: Department of Radiology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR.
authors: Shilpa V
authors: SV
authors: Hegde
authors: Department of Radiology, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong SAR, China.
authors: Peter K T
authors: PK
authors: Hui
authors: Department of Radiology, Boston Children׳s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA; Department of Medicine, Boston Children׳s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA. Electronic address: Edward.Lee@Childrens.Harvard.Edu.
authors: Edward Y
authors: EY
authors: Lee
mesh_terms: D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D001980:Bronchi / Q000293:injuries*; D001995:Bronchography / Q000379:methods; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D053120:Respiratory Aspiration / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods; D014132:Trachea / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000293:injuries*