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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.
Abstract:
Impacted laryngeal foreign body could lead to catastrophic consequences if appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic procedures are not promptly instituted. A case of 4-year-old child who presented with a 4-day history of probable ingestion or aspiration of a pen part and history of occasional noisy breathing on exertion and swallowing is reported. On examination, the child appeared asymptomatic on general examination. CT scan of larynx and chest revealed foreign body in the larynx. A conical plastic foreign body in the laryngotracheal junction was retrieved by rigid bronchoscopy. The asymptomatic nature of the foreign body was related to the presence of a lumen within the foreign body permitting ventilation and the inert nature of the material. The case demonstrates the importance of the history, CT scan in case of suspicion, and the need for urgent bronchoscopy with appropriate anesthetic technique.
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