Diagnostic Performance of CXR and CT in Pediatric Foreign Body Aspiration: A PICU-Based Bronchoscopy Study

To evaluate the clinical, radiological, and bronchoscopic features of pediatric patients admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) with suspected foreign body aspiration (FBA), and to compare the diagnostic performance of chest radiography (CXR) and computed tomography (CT).

We retrospectively analyzed 71 children admitted to the PICU of Kayseri City Training and Research Hospital for suspected tracheobronchial FBA between January 2020 and December 2024. Demographic data, clinical presentations, imaging findings, bronchoscopic results, and outcomes were recorded. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of CXR and CT were calculated using bronchoscopy as the reference standard.

The mean age was 2.61 ± 3.59 years, and 66.1% were male. Organic materials were the most commonly aspirated objects, especially in children aged 0-3 years. The right main bronchus was the most frequently affected site. CXR had a sensitivity of 94.9% (95% CI: 83.1-98.6) and a specificity of 71.0% (95% CI: 53.4-83.9), while CT had a sensitivity of 63.2% (95% CI: 41.0-80.9) and a specificity of 100% (95% CI: 87.5-100.0). Bronchoscopy revealed no foreign body in 45.1% of cases. Most patients (94.4%) fully recovered; complications included two deaths, one lobectomy, and one case of hypoxic sequelae.

FBA remains a critical pediatric emergency, particularly in young children. CXR is a highly sensitive and accessible screening tool, while CT offers high specificity but lower sensitivity. Prompt diagnosis and bronchoscopy by experienced teams ensure favorable outcomes.