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Late recognized nail aspiration in a child: case report
Ufuk Çobanoğlu1, Muhammed Can, Ismail Birincioğlu
1Department of Chest Surgery, Yüzüncü Yıl University Faculty of Medicine, Van, Turkey. drucobanoglu@hotmail.com
Summary
Foreign body aspiration in young children can present with vague symptoms like persistent cough. A 6 cm nail was successfully removed from a child
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Pediatric Surgery
- Emergency Medicine
Background:
- Foreign body (FB) aspiration is a frequent occurrence in children aged 0-3 years.
- Persistent cough and respiratory symptoms in children can be challenging to diagnose.
Observation:
- A 2.5-year-old girl presented with cough, fever, and sputum, initially treated for bronchitis.
- Initial esophagoscopy and chest X-ray were inconclusive for esophageal FB.
- A lateral chest X-ray revealed a nail-shaped FB lodged between the trachea and right hemithorax.
Findings:
- Rigid bronchoscopy failed to remove the 6 cm nail.
- The FB was successfully removed via thoracotomy and bronchotomy under general anesthesia.
- This case highlights a rare presentation of a sharp FB aspiration.
Implications:
- Physicians must consider FB aspiration in children with unexplained persistent cough.
- Parental neglect can contribute to delayed diagnosis of FB aspiration.
- This case underscores the importance of advanced imaging and surgical techniques for FB removal.
