Thin laryngeal foreign bodies in infants: diagnostic potential of MDCT

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Pulmonology
• Radiology
• Emergency Medicine

Background:

• Laryngeal foreign bodies (FB) pose a significant threat to children.
• Radiolucent FBs in the glottis/supraglottis can cause subtle, non-specific symptoms.
• Standard radiography often fails to detect these FBs, leading to diagnostic delays.

Observation:

• Two 10-month-old male infants presented with symptoms of airway inflammation.
• Clinical examination revealed no specific findings, and neck/chest radiographs were negative.
• A thin, radiolucent FB lodged between the vocal folds was suspected in both cases.

Findings:

• Low-dose multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) with thin-slice reconstruction successfully identified the laryngeal FBs.
• Direct laryngoscopy enabled uncomplicated FB removal in both infants.
• MDCT proved crucial for diagnosis when clinical presentation was uncertain and initial imaging was negative.

Implications:

• Low-dose MDCT with thin-slice reconstruction is a valuable tool for diagnosing suspected radiolucent laryngeal FBs in infants.
• This imaging technique can prevent misdiagnosis and expedite treatment for pediatric airway emergencies.
• Early and accurate diagnosis improves patient outcomes and reduces prolonged recovery times.