Aspiration of a cigarette filter from a bronchodilator inhaler

The majority of foreign-body aspirations are seen in children. In adults, neurological dysfunction, trauma, alcohol abuse, or psychological disorders can lead to aspiration, but normal adults can also suffer foreign body aspiration. The symptoms include acute asphyxiation, with or without complete airway obstruction, cough, dyspnea, choking, and fever, which also occur in many other medical conditions. Bronchoscopic removal of the foreign body is necessary, and flexible bronchoscopy is effective in the diagnosis and removal. We saw a patient with COPD who aspirated a plastic cigarette filter while using his bronchodilator inhaler.