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Laryngo-Tracheo-Bronchial Foreign Bodies in Children: Clinical Presentations and Complications
Hazem-Saeed Amer1, Mohammad-Waheed El-Anwar1, Ashraf Raafat2
1Departmen of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt.
Insights
Foreign-body (FB) aspiration in children is a serious emergency, particularly for those under 3 years old. Early diagnosis and treatment of airway FBs are crucial to prevent severe complications.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Emergency Medicine
- Diagnostic Imaging
Background:
- Foreign-body (FB) aspiration in children presents a significant, life-threatening risk, contributing to annual fatalities.
- Understanding the varied clinical presentations and diagnostic challenges of pediatric airway FB aspiration is critical.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze clinical presentations, diagnostic methods, FB types, and complications in pediatric FB aspiration.
- To enhance awareness and emphasize the urgency of diagnosing and managing laryngo-tracheo-bronchial foreign bodies in children.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 56 pediatric patients with suspected or confirmed FB aspiration.
- Data collection included patient demographics, FB characteristics, symptoms, radiological findings, and diagnostic timelines.
Main Results:
- The majority of patients (60%) were under 3 years old, with a mean age of 4.5 years.
- Chest X-rays were normal in 60.7% of cases; opaque FBs were identified in 14.3%.
- Complications included bronchitis (9%), pneumonia (10.7%), and atelectasis (5.3%).
Conclusions:
- Pediatric FB aspiration is a critical emergency, disproportionately affecting children under 3 years.
- Prompt diagnosis and intervention are essential to reduce complications and facilitate FB removal.
- Increased awareness of airway FB risks can improve patient outcomes.
Introduction:
Foreign-body (FB) aspiration in the airway of children is a life-threatening clinical situation responsible for many deaths each year. The aim of this study was to evaluate the different clinical presentations, methods of diagnosis, types and complications of FB inhalation in the pediatric age group.
Materials And Methods:
The study included patients who presented with a definitive or suspicious history of FB aspiration. Detailed data for each patient were recorded concerning the age, sex, nature and site of the FB, presenting symptoms and signs, and radiological findings.
Results:
Fifty-six patients were enrolled in this study. The age of patients ranged from 6 months to 14 years, with a mean age of 4.5 years. Sixty percent of patients were under 3 years of age. The time interval between aspiration of foreign body and onset of diagnosis ranged from 2 hours to 5 months. Thirty-four (60.7%) patients had normal chest X-ray findings, while opaque FB was seen in eight patients (14.3%). Signs of bronchitis were seen in five patients (9%), while pneumonia and atelectasis were seen in six (10.7%) and three cases (5.3%), respectively.
Conclusion:
FB aspiration is a life-threatening clinical situation, with children <3 years of age being most commonly affected. FB aspiration must be considered a matter of emergency, especially in the case of organic FBs. This study aimed to increase the awareness of laryngo-tracheo-bronchial FBs, as early diagnosis and management decrease the incidence of complications and make removal of aspirated FB easier.
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