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Endobronchial Foreign Bodies Presenting as Intermittent Chest Pain and Productive Cough
Ruby Risal1, Htun M Aung2, Tahmina Jahir3
1Pulmonary, Interfaith Medical Center, Brooklyn, USA.
Cureus
|October 31, 2022
Summary
A man experienced chest pain and cough due to plastic bags containing crack cocaine obstructing his airway. Prompt foreign body removal is vital to prevent serious complications.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonology
- Toxicology
- Emergency Medicine
Background:
- Foreign body aspiration is a critical condition that can lead to airway obstruction.
- Substance abuse can present with unusual and life-threatening complications.
Observation:
- A 51-year-old male with a history of polysubstance abuse presented with chest pain and productive cough.
- Imaging revealed airway obstruction in the left mainstem bronchus.
Findings:
- Flexible bronchoscopy identified three plastic bags, consistent with crack cocaine packaging, completely occluding the left mainstem bronchus.
- The patient's symptoms were directly attributed to the foreign body aspiration.
Implications:
- This case highlights the importance of considering foreign body aspiration in patients with unexplained respiratory symptoms, especially those with a history of substance abuse.
- Early diagnosis and removal of foreign bodies are essential to prevent severe respiratory compromise and long-term complications.
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