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Foreign body aspiration presenting as a chronic lung disease: a unique finding in an elderly patient

Yasir Khan1, Hamdan Mallick2, Sobia Siddiqui2

  • 1Department of Surgery, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan.

JPMA. the Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association
|May 23, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Foreign body aspiration in the elderly can be life-threatening. A metallic nail was discovered in a seventy-year-old man's lung, initially misdiagnosed as chronic bronchitis.

Area of Science:

  • Pulmonology
  • Geriatric Medicine
  • Radiology

Background:

  • Foreign body aspiration poses significant risks, especially in the elderly population.
  • Delayed diagnosis can lead to severe complications and life-endangering harm.

Observation:

  • A seventy-year-old male presented with chronic cough, initially presumed to be chronic bronchitis.
  • Radiological examination revealed a 5 cm metallic nail lodged in the right lower lung.

Findings:

  • The metallic nail was identified as the infectious nidus causing the patient's symptoms.
  • This case highlights a rare instance of a foreign body presenting as a chronic respiratory condition.

Implications:

  • Emphasizes the importance of considering foreign body aspiration in elderly patients with persistent respiratory symptoms.
  • Underscores the critical role of advanced radiological imaging in diagnosing unusual pulmonary conditions.
  • Suggests a need for increased awareness among clinicians regarding atypical presentations of foreign body aspiration in geriatric patients.
Keywords:
Chronic Cough; Geriatrics; Foreign Body; Aspiration; Thoracic Surgery.

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