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Suspected foreign body inhalation in children: what are the indications for bronchoscopy?

Shlomo Cohen1, Avraham Avital, Simon Godfrey

  • 1Institute of Pulmonology, Hadassah Ein Kerem, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Centers, Jerusalem, Israel.

The Journal of Pediatrics
|May 19, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Bronchoscopy is recommended for children with suspected foreign body (FB) inhalation if they have persistent symptoms or abnormal physical/radiographic findings. Asymptomatic children with normal exams do not require bronchoscopy.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Pulmonology
  • Medical Diagnostics

Background:

  • Foreign body (FB) inhalation is a common cause of respiratory distress in children.
  • Accurate diagnostic criteria are needed to guide the use of bronchoscopy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To establish criteria for performing bronchoscopy in children with suspected foreign body inhalation.

Main Methods:

  • A retrospective review of 142 children with suspected FB inhalation was conducted.
  • Data included medical history, physical examination, and radiologic findings prior to bronchoscopy.

Main Results:

  • Foreign bodies were confirmed in children with abnormal physical/radiographic findings (n=59) and in those with normal exams but persistent cough (n=2).
  • No foreign bodies were found in asymptomatic children with normal examinations (n=16).

Conclusions:

  • Bronchoscopy is indicated for children with suspected FB inhalation presenting with persistent symptoms (cough, dyspnea, fever) or abnormal physical/radiographic findings.
  • Bronchoscopy is not necessary for asymptomatic children with normal physical and radiographic examinations.
Abstract

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