Polished off: an inhaled dental brush

Area of Science:

• Medical Case Reports
• Pulmonology
• Emergency Medicine

Background:

• Foreign body aspiration is a frequent cause of emergency room visits.
• Bronchoscopy is the standard procedure for removal of inhaled foreign bodies.
• Commonly aspirated objects in adults include food particles and small objects.

Observation:

• This report details an unusual case of foreign body inhalation.
• The patient presented with symptoms requiring urgent bronchoscopy.
• The inhaled object was identified as a dental polishing tip.

Findings:

• Dental polishing tips are not commonly reported as aspirated foreign bodies.
• The successful removal of the dental tip via bronchoscopy is confirmed.
• This case expands the known spectrum of objects causing foreign body aspiration.

Implications:

• Highlights the importance of considering unusual objects in the differential diagnosis of foreign body aspiration.
• Reinforces the utility of bronchoscopy in managing airway foreign bodies.
• May inform preventative strategies in dental procedures.