Foreign bodies in the tracheobronchial tree: A prospective study of fifty cases

Aspirated foreign bodies continue to present challenges to the otorhinolaryngologists-the major issues being accurate diagnosis and speedy and safe removal of the foreign bodies. Tracheobronchial foreign bodies are most common in the 1-3 year age group and are usually of vegetative origin. The most common signs and symptoms of tracheobronchial foreign bodies are cough, wheeze and decreased air entry on the affected side. Diagnostic bronchoscopy is recommended in all children presenting with a history of sudden onset of cough, choking spell, an unexplained acute wheeze, or a chronic pulmonary infection. The present study was undertaken to study the varied clinical presentations of tracheobronchial foreign bodies.