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Foreign bodies in the aerodigestive tract in pediatric patients

Ryuzaburo Higo1, Yu Matsumoto, Keiichi Ichimura

  • 1Department of Otolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tokyo, 3-1, Hongo 7-chome, Bunkyo-ku, 113-8655, Tokyo, Japan. rhigo-tky@umin.ac.jp

Auris, Nasus, Larynx
|December 6, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Pediatric aerodigestive tract foreign bodies are common, especially in toddlers. Fish bones in the pharynx and toys in the nose are typical, with increasing disk-type battery ingestions posing a serious risk.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Otolaryngology
  • Gastroenterology
  • Emergency Medicine

Background:

  • Foreign body ingestion and aspiration in children present unique challenges.
  • Understanding common foreign bodies and their locations is crucial for effective management.
  • The aerodigestive tract is a frequent site for pediatric foreign body impaction.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate pediatric foreign body cases in the aerodigestive tract.
  • To identify characteristic foreign body problems in Japan.
  • To analyze the relationship between foreign body type and impaction site.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective chart review of 310 pediatric patients (age ≤15).
  • Data collected from two major Japanese medical university hospitals.
  • Statistical analysis of collected patient and foreign body data.

Main Results:

  • Most common age group: 1-4 years (67.7%).
  • Predominant sites: nose (39.4%), pharynx (38.4%), esophagus (12.9%), trachea-bronchi (6.5%).
  • Common foreign bodies: fish bones (30.7%), toys (13.6%), coins, food, batteries. Fish bones in pharynx, toys in nose, coins in esophagus noted. Increasing disk-type battery ingestion reported.

Conclusions:

  • Fish bones (pharynx) and toys (nose) are characteristic pediatric foreign bodies in Japan, linked to eating habits and common objects.
  • Disk-type battery ingestion in the esophagus is an emerging serious concern.
  • Prevention through public education is paramount for managing foreign body incidents.
Abstract

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