Prawns masquerading as endobronchial tumours

This report details the events surrounding the case of an 89-year-old woman referred for surgery with a suspected endobronchial tumour. At rigid bronchoscopy she was found to have inspissated sputum within which the remains of organic foreign bodies (king prawns) were found obstructing the left main and left upper lobe bronchi. We outline her presentation, initial diagnosis and eventual outcome, and re-emphasise the importance of bronchoscopy as a vital tool in the assessment of any endoluminal lesion of the airway.