An incidental finding of a vegetative foreign body in left main bronchus in a child presented as wheeze associated respiratory tract infection

Abstract

Foreign body aspiration is an important cause of pediatric morbidity and mortality, particularly in children between the age of 6 months and five years. It is potentially life threatening event and may also cause chronic lung injury, if not properly managed. Foreign bodies may cause chronic pulmonary infections, bronchiectasis and lung abscess. An early diagnosis and management of the patient with an inhaled foreign body offers a diagnostic challenge to the treating pediatrician. We report a case of incidental foreign body in a 3year old child presented with recurrent episodes of wheeze associated respiratory tract infections. Wheeze was associated with persistent cough and dyspnea with nocturnal awakening.