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Live fish in the trachea and bronchus: a case report
Kanu Lal Saha1, Debesh Chandra Talukder, Mohammad Asaduzzaman Rasel
1Department of Otolaryngology and Head-Neck Surgery, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka, Bangladesh. dr_klsahak50@yahoo.com.
BMC Research Notes
|September 20, 2014
Summary
A live, 16cm fish lodged in a Bangladeshi boy's trachea, causing severe respiratory distress. Emergency tracheostomy and fish removal were successful, highlighting the need for prompt diagnosis and prevention strategies.
Area of Science:
- Medical Case Reports
- Emergency Medicine
- Pulmonology
Background:
- Live foreign bodies in the trachea and bronchus are rare and life-threatening emergencies.
- Elongated foreign bodies, such as small fish, can bypass the upper airway and lodge in the lower respiratory tract.
- Prompt identification of foreign body type is crucial for effective management.
Observation:
- A 16-year-old boy presented with severe respiratory distress and cyanosis following suspected live fish impaction.
- An emergency tracheostomy revealed a fish tail in the right bronchus.
- A 16cm long Guchi Baim fish (Macrognathus pancalus) was successfully removed.
Findings:
- Successful emergency tracheostomy and foreign body removal relieved acute respiratory distress.
- The case highlights the challenges in diagnosing and managing live fish aspiration in the airway.
- Immediate intervention is critical for survival.
Implications:
- Emphasizes the critical need for rapid diagnosis and intervention in cases of airway foreign bodies.
- Highlights the importance of obtaining a detailed history, including the type of fish, to guide management.
- Recommends preventative measures, such as avoiding holding fish in the mouth during fishing, to prevent such incidents.