Impacted laryngeal foreign body in a child: a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge

S Jain1, S Kashikar, Pt Deshmukh

  • 1Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Jawahar Lal Nehru Medical College, DMIMSU, Sawangi, Wardha, Maharashtra, India.

Insights

A child

Area of Science:

  • Otolaryngology
  • Pediatric Emergency Medicine
  • Medical Imaging

Background:

  • Impacted laryngeal foreign bodies pose significant risks, necessitating prompt diagnosis and intervention.
  • Foreign body aspiration in children is a common pediatric emergency.
  • Early recognition and management are crucial to prevent severe complications.

Observation:

  • A 4-year-old child presented with a 4-day history suggestive of foreign body ingestion/aspiration (pen part).
  • The child exhibited intermittent noisy breathing during exertion and swallowing.
  • Initial general examination revealed no acute distress.

Findings:

  • Computed tomography (CT) scan of the larynx and chest confirmed a foreign body within the larynx.
  • Rigid bronchoscopy successfully retrieved a conical plastic foreign body lodged at the laryngotracheal junction.
  • The patient's asymptomatic status was attributed to the foreign body's hollow lumen, allowing ventilation, and its inert material.

Implications:

  • This case underscores the importance of thorough patient history in suspected foreign body aspiration.
  • CT imaging is a valuable tool for diagnosing laryngeal foreign bodies.
  • Urgent rigid bronchoscopy, with meticulous anesthetic management, is essential for foreign body removal.

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