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Published on: September 11, 2018
[Foreign body aspiration in children]
J A Esteban Ibarz1, A Sáinz Samitier, R Delgado Alvira
1Servicio de Cirugía Pediátrica, Hospital Infantil Universitario "Miguel Servet", Zaragoza.
Insights
Foreign body aspiration in children is often underestimated. This study suggests bronchoscopy for all choking episodes to ensure accurate diagnosis and treatment.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Emergency Medicine
- Otolaryngology
Context:
- Foreign body aspiration is a common pediatric emergency.
- Delayed diagnosis can lead to severe complications.
- Accurate diagnostic methods are crucial for timely intervention.
Purpose:
- To evaluate diagnostic findings in children with suspected foreign body aspiration.
- To assess the timeliness of hospital presentation and symptom severity.
- To recommend optimal diagnostic procedures for suspected cases.
Summary:
- This study analyzed 420 children with suspected foreign body aspiration over 33 years.
- High rates of positive history, physical, and radiological findings were observed.
- Despite frequent symptoms, many children presented late, highlighting diagnostic challenges.
Impact:
- Emphasizes the underdiagnosis and underestimation of foreign body aspiration frequency.
- Highlights the discrepancy between symptom presentation and delayed hospital visits.
- Recommends routine bronchoscopy for all children experiencing choking episodes to improve diagnostic accuracy.
Abstract:
The aim to this study is evaluate the history, symptoms, radiographic and endoscopic findings in 420 children who were admitted for suspected foreign body aspiration in our hospital between 1972 and 2005. In 13 children we didn't find foreign body and in 16 children the foreign bodies were lodged in larynx. The mean age was 33 months. The medical history, phisical exploration, auscultation and radiological findings were positive in 91,4%, 78,3%, 91,6% and 81%. The frecuency or foreign body aspiration is undervaluate and sometimes is excluded as diagnosis. Only 218 (51,9%) patients went to the hospital in the first 24 hours, although 87,8% of patients presented symptoms and 75,4% presented severe symptoms. Moreover the removed foreign bodies and suspected foreign bodies are the same in 82,95%. We think that bronchoscopy should by performed in all children who have had a choking episode.
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