An Aspiration of Cocklebur (Xanthium strumarium) Showing Impaired Swallowing Reflex in a Patient with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Abstract

A 64-year-old male patient who was under follow-up for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) for 10 years was admitted with persistent cough for the past two years. Bronchoscopy due to atelectasis of the right lower lobe showed aspiration of common cocklebur (Xanthium strumarium). Herein, we present the dramatic case of COPD with accidental aspiration of a foreign body with spiny projections, which was large for the respiratory system and resulted in impaired swallowing reflex.