Airway foreign body manifested as a coin lesion

Area of Science:

• Medical Imaging
• Pulmonology
• Emergency Medicine

Background:

• Foreign body aspiration poses a significant risk, with inhaled objects varying widely.
• Most ingested pills are radiolucent, complicating radiographic detection.
• Radiopaque foreign bodies are more readily identified on standard imaging.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the diagnostic utility of radiopaque lanthanum carbonate in cases of suspected foreign body aspiration.
• To differentiate the imaging characteristics of lanthanum carbonate from other commonly aspirated materials.

Main Methods:

• Review of imaging findings in patients with suspected foreign body aspiration.
• Analysis of the radiopacity of lanthanum carbonate compared to other pill types.
• Correlation of radiographic evidence with clinical presentation.

Main Results:

• Lanthanum carbonate demonstrates distinct radiopacity on chest X-rays.
• This radiopacity allows for potential identification of aspirated lanthanum carbonate.
• Most other pharmaceutical agents are not visible on standard radiography.

Conclusions:

• Lanthanum carbonate's radiopaque nature is a key characteristic for its identification following aspiration.
• Radiography can be a valuable tool in diagnosing aspiration of lanthanum carbonate.
• Awareness of lanthanum carbonate's imaging properties can aid clinicians in managing aspiration events.