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[Migrating pulmonary infiltrates due to a foreign body]
G J M Koster1, W G Boersma, C S de Graaff
1Medisch Centrum Alkmaar, afd. Longziekten, Wilhelminalaan I2, 1815 JD Alkmaar. g.koster@mca.nl
Nederlands Tijdschrift Voor Geneeskunde
|January 10, 2006
Summary
A migrating tooth caused recurrent pneumonia in a 67-year-old man. Bronchoscopic removal resolved the foreign body obstruction and subsequent lung infections.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonology
- Foreign Body Aspiration
- Respiratory Medicine
Background:
- Recurrent pneumonia can stem from various causes, including airway obstruction.
- Foreign body aspiration, though common in children, can occur in adults, presenting diagnostic challenges.
Observation:
- A 67-year-old male presented with right upper lobe pneumonia, initially suspected to be neoplastic.
- The obstruction was identified as a tooth, a foreign body within the bronchial tract.
- The patient had a history of poor dentition and advised tooth extraction two years prior.
Findings:
- The tooth acted as a migrating foreign body, causing sequential pneumonias in different lung lobes.
- Recurrent infections were attributed to the bronchial obstruction by the aspirated tooth.
Implications:
- This case highlights the importance of considering foreign body aspiration in adults with recurrent pneumonia, even with atypical presentations.
- Bronchoscopic intervention is crucial for diagnosing and treating bronchial foreign bodies, preventing further complications.
- Dental health plays a role in preventing aspiration events, particularly in individuals with compromised dentition.