The Lost Crown: A Case of an Aspirated Tooth Crown Causing Post-Obstructive Pneumonia

Area of Science:

• Pulmonology
• Internal Medicine
• Emergency Medicine

Background:

• Non-asphyxiating foreign body aspiration (FBA) is infrequent in adults.
• Diagnosis can be challenging due to non-specific symptoms and poor radiopacity of foreign bodies.
• Potential for serious complications necessitates high clinical suspicion.

Observation:

• A case of an older male with delayed diagnosis of foreign body aspiration is presented.
• The patient developed pneumonia and respiratory failure two years after aspirating a dental crown.
• Initial symptoms were absent, leading to a diagnostic delay.

Findings:

• The patient's pneumonia resolved with antibiotic therapy.
• Bronchoscopic removal of the dental crown was successful.
• Delayed diagnosis did not prevent a positive outcome with intervention.

Implications:

• Highlights the importance of considering FBA in adults, even with delayed presentation.
• Emphasizes the need for thorough investigation when respiratory symptoms are unexplained.
• Underscores the potential for severe sequelae from undiagnosed FBA, necessitating prompt recognition and management.