[Endobronchial foreign bodies in adults. A report of 3 cases with a prolonged evolution]

3 cases of endobronchial foreign body (EFB) in adult patients which main feature was a delay in diagnosis, are presented. The aspiratory accident was not well evaluated by the patients. There were several complications (hemoptysis, pneumonia, and empyema) during the interval from the aspiration to the extraction, these being the reasons for inducing diagnosis. The mechanism of aspiration and the treatment is discussed.