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Bronchial foreign bodies in adults
1Department of Internal Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung.
Summary
Foreign body aspiration in adults is uncommon but challenging to diagnose. Flexible bronchoscopy offers a high success rate for removal, even with complications like granulation tissue.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonology
- Gastroenterology
- Medical Diagnostics
Background:
- Aspiration of foreign bodies into the bronchial tree is a rare occurrence in adults.
- Underlying conditions contributing to aspiration were identified in only a small subset of patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review cases of adult bronchial foreign body aspiration.
- To analyze diagnostic methods, bronchoscopic findings, and treatment outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 40 adult cases of bronchial foreign body aspiration over 8 years.
- Classification of bronchoscopic findings based on the presence and extent of granulation tissue.
- Documentation of diagnostic procedures and foreign body removal techniques.
Main Results:
- A positive history of aspiration was reported in 48% of patients.
- Chest roentgenograms were diagnostic in only 27.5% of cases.
- Successful diagnosis and removal were achieved in 92% of patients using various forceps, with rare, non-serious complications.
Conclusions:
- Diagnosing occult foreign bodies requires a high index of suspicion due to nonspecific symptoms.
- Flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy is an effective tool for removing endobronchial foreign bodies with a high success rate.