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Unnoticed aspiration of palate plate impression material in a neonate: Diagnosis, therapy, outcome
Friedrich Reichert1, Peter Amrhein2, Frank Uhlemann1
1Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Intensive Care Medicine, Pulmonology, Allergology, Klinikum Stuttgart, Olgahospital Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany.
Insights
A 7-week-old infant experienced respiratory failure due to a polyvinylsiloxane foreign body obstructing the right superior bronchus. The material was successfully removed via rigid endoscopy, but the infant developed a hyperreactive airway.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Medical Device Complications
- Foreign Body Aspiration
Background:
- Infants are susceptible to airway obstruction due to their small anatomical structures.
- Foreign body aspiration can lead to severe respiratory distress and life-threatening complications.
- Dental impression materials, such as polyvinylsiloxane, pose a potential, albeit rare, risk of aspiration.
Abstract:
A 7 week old infant was admitted with respiratory failure. Chest X-ray showed an atelectatic right upper lobe, herniation of right middle and lower lobe into the left thorax, and compression-atelectasis of the left lung. Thoracic CT showed complete occlusion of the right superior bronchus with a radiopaque foreign material. Six weeks prior, an impression for a palate plate using polyvinylsiloxane was taken. The material was removed with a rigid endoscopy, in readiness of extracorporeal oxygenation in case of tracheal obstruction or bronchial rupture. After 4 months of follow-up a hyper reactive airway with recurrent upper and lower airway infections remains.
