Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 7, 2026

Systematic Bronchoscopy: the Four Landmarks Approach
04:47

Systematic Bronchoscopy: the Four Landmarks Approach

Published on: June 23, 2023

Bronchoschopy should always be performed in children on suspicion of foreign body aspiration

Amirsalar Samkani1, Karl Viktor Lynge Larsen, Christian Emil Faber

  • 1Gammel Kongevej 127, 4. tv., 1850 Frederiksberg, Denmark. amsam03@gmail.com.

Danish Medical Journal
|October 3, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Parental suspicion of foreign body aspiration (FBA) in children warrants immediate bronchoscopy. Even without clear symptoms or radiologic findings, parental concern is a key indicator for this procedure.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Pulmonology
  • Diagnostic Imaging
  • Emergency Medicine

Background:

  • Foreign body aspiration (FBA) poses a significant risk, potentially leading to fatal outcomes.
  • Diagnosing FBA is challenging due to variable symptoms and clinical signs.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify predictors for the presence of foreign bodies in children with suspected FBA.
  • To evaluate the diagnostic utility of clinical signs, symptoms, and radiologic findings in FBA.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of medical records for children undergoing bronchoscopy due to suspected FBA.
  • Inclusion of data from Odense University Hospital between 1977 and 2010.

Main Results:

  • Of 137 children analyzed, 55.5% had confirmed foreign bodies.
  • Abnormal radiologic findings (chest X-ray or fluoroscopy) were the only statistically significant predictor of FBA (p = 0.023).
  • Foreign bodies were detected in 46.8% of patients without radiologic findings and 27% with no symptoms or radiologic/physical findings.

Conclusions:

  • Parental suspicion of FBA is a critical factor for initiating acute bronchoscopy in children.
  • Bronchoscopy should be considered regardless of the presence of overt signs, symptoms, or specific radiologic findings when FBA is suspected.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Bronchoalveolar Lavage (BAL) for Research; Obtaining Adequate Sample Yield11:47

Bronchoalveolar Lavage (BAL) for Research; Obtaining Adequate Sample Yield

Published on: March 24, 2014

Guidelines for Elective Pediatric Fiberoptic Intubation11:19

Guidelines for Elective Pediatric Fiberoptic Intubation

Published on: January 17, 2011

Related Concept Videos

Endoscopic Studies I: Bronchoscopy and Thoracoscopy01:30

Endoscopic Studies I: Bronchoscopy and Thoracoscopy

Endoscopy is a non-surgical medical technique used to examine a person's internal organs and vessels. This lesson will focus on two types of endoscopic studies: bronchoscopy and thoracoscopy.
Bronchoscopy
Description
Bronchoscopy is a procedure that involves direct visualization of the larynx, trachea, and bronchi for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. A flexible fiber optic or rigid bronchoscope is used to carry out the procedure. The fiber-optic bronchoscope is more frequently used due to...
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation V: Advanced Airway Management Techniques01:30

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation V: Advanced Airway Management Techniques

Airway management is essential in emergency and surgical medicine, ensuring ventilation and oxygenation in patients who cannot maintain their own airway. Clinicians use a range of techniques and devices to secure the airway, depending on the patient’s condition and the clinical context. Key methods include endotracheal intubation, rapid sequence intubation (RSI), supraglottic airway devices, and advanced visualization aids. In cases where these approaches fail, surgical airway interventions are...
Trachea01:22

Trachea

The trachea, commonly known as the windpipe, is a vital part of the human respiratory system. It serves as a passageway for air to travel between the larynx and the bronchi, allowing oxygen to reach the lungs. Let's explore its anatomical features, dimensions, layers of the tracheal wall, associated muscles, and the functions of its parts.
Anatomical Features:
Location: About half of the trachea is situated in the neck, anterior to the esophagus, and extends from the larynx (at the level of the...
Endoscopic Studies II: Thoracocentesis01:26

Endoscopic Studies II: Thoracocentesis

Thoracentesis(Thoracocentesis), commonly known as pleural tap, is a medical procedure where a 22 gauge needle is inserted into the pleural space, the area between the lung and chest wall. This procedure is commonly performed to diagnose or treat various respiratory disorders.
Description
Excess pleural fluid or air may accumulate in some respiratory disorders in the thoracic cavity. To treat pleural effusion, a physician conducts thoracentesis by carefully piercing the chest wall and entering...
Assessment of Airway, Skin Color, and Use of Accessory Muscles01:30

Assessment of Airway, Skin Color, and Use of Accessory Muscles

A thorough assessment of respiratory health is paramount in clinical settings to identify and manage respiratory distress and ensure adequate oxygenation. This article elaborates on the critical aspects of respiratory evaluation, including airway assessment, skin color examination, and the observation of accessory muscle use, which are integral to effectively diagnosing and managing patients with respiratory conditions.
Introduction
The initial evaluation of a patient's respiratory system...
Assessment of Respiration01:23

Assessment of Respiration

The respiratory system's basic structures and primary functions lay the foundation for nurses' comprehensive respiratory assessments. This assessment includes subjective and objective data to gauge the patient's respiratory health.
Subjective Assessment: Nurses interview the patient to gather information directly during the subjective assessment. It includes questions about the individual's medical history, medications, and symptoms, focusing on past respiratory conditions like asthma or COPD,...