A clinical study of foreign bodies in air passages

Abstract

Background: Foreign body in the airways is a serious event and fatal if not managed properly in time. Accident resulting from the inhalation of the foreign body continues to take formidable toll of lives every year.Objecti ve: This study was undertaken to find out the incidence of foreign bodies in air passages in this part of the country and types of foreign bodies, to establish the role of radiological investigations, and to find out the effective measures which are valuable in decreasing the post endoscopic complications and morbidity. Methods: This retrospective study was conducted in all suspected cases of foreign body in the air passages attending as well as referred to the Department of Otolaryngology of a Medical College of Rajasthan from January 2014 to December 2015. In each case, a procedure like direct laryngoscopy or bronchoscopy was done depending on the site of the foreign body. Results: Out of 100 cases, 58 were males and 42 were females. 88% of the patients were children below the age of 12 years. The most common foreign body extracted was betel nut in 47% of the cases. Commonest sign observed was decreased air entry in the lung (83%). Commonest radiological finding was obstructive collapse (37%). 48% of the total foreign bodies were present in right bronchus while 32% were lodged in the left bronchus and 3% at the carina. Conclusion: A diagnostic bronchoscopy should always be done in refractory cases of chronic respiratory infection, allergy or pneumonia. A negative radiological examination does not exclude a foreign body.

Clinical profile of tracheo-bronchial foreign body inhalation at tertiary care center

“…32% had emphysema followed by 28% collapse of lung whereas minimum 10% had consolidation whereas Nagaraj et al found that commonest radiological finding was obstructive collapse (37%). 10 In our study 30% of patients had normal chest X-ray finding whereas Wolach et al studied 127 children and found lesser (18%) chest X-rays were normal. 7 Higher proportion were found by Bai et al 52.4% had no abnormalities on plain X-ray and Meena et al In 95% X-rays was not confirmative.…”

“…In our study majority 62% were male and 38% were female also Meena et al observed male preponderance whereas Nagaraj et al found 58 were males and 42 were females. 6,10 70% of study population was residing in rural area whereas 30% residing in urban area. Maximum 58% had lower socioeconomic followed by 40% middle and only 2% had upper socioeconomic status.…”

“…Also, Nagaraj et al found 48% of the total foreign bodies were present in right bronchus while 32% were lodged in the left bronchus and 3% at the carina. 10 Whereas Kosucu et al found that the FB was in the left main bronchus in eight patients, in the right main bronchus in six patients and in the bronchus intermedius in one patient. 13 In present study 44% were groundnut followed by supari 32% whereas minimum 2% were seed, bharunth, whissell and cap of ball pen followed by chana (16%).…”

“…Also, Meena et al and Nagaraj et al commonest sign observed was decreased air entry in the lung (83%). 6,10 72% presents with decreased movement and dull percussion on affected side, wheeze in 26% whereas Ronchi and Crept in 12% each.…”

“…66 were within 5 years of age and most were within 2-3 years of age and Nagaraj et al found 88% of the patients were children below the age of 12 years. 9,10 This was seen because most common age group of FB aspiration was found to be <10 years.…”