Undiagnosed bronchial foreign body-golf tee

Area of Science:

• Pulmonology
• Pediatric Medicine
• Medical Case Reports

Background:

• Foreign body aspiration into the tracheobronchial tree is a common pediatric emergency.
• Non-opaque foreign bodies, such as those made of plastic or wood, pose diagnostic challenges due to their invisibility on standard radiography.
• Long-standing retained foreign bodies can lead to chronic respiratory complications.

Observation:

• A 15-year-old male presented with symptoms suggestive of a chronic respiratory issue.
• Imaging studies were inconclusive, highlighting the difficulty in detecting non-opaque foreign bodies.
• Bronchoscopy revealed a long-standing golf tee lodged in the right bronchus.

Findings:

• Successful removal of a non-opaque foreign body (golf tee) from the right bronchus.
• The foreign body had been present for an extended duration, as indicated by the clinical history.
• Histopathological examination of the surrounding bronchial tissue may reveal chronic inflammation or granulation.

Implications:

• This case underscores the importance of considering foreign body aspiration even with negative initial imaging, especially in cases of non-opaque objects.
• Prompt and accurate diagnosis is vital to prevent long-term complications such as bronchiectasis, lung abscess, or persistent respiratory symptoms.
• Enhanced diagnostic modalities and high clinical suspicion are essential for managing challenging foreign body cases in children.