Foreign Body Aspiration

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Introduction & Epidemiology - Tiny Trespassers

  • Foreign Body Aspiration (FBA): Inhalation of an object into the airway, lodging typically below the vocal cords.
  • Peak Incidence: 6 months - 3 years.
    • Due to oral exploratory behaviour, immature dentition, and uncoordinated swallowing.
  • Common Culprits:
    • Organic (most frequent): Peanuts (common in India), seeds, vegetable pieces. Cause significant inflammation.
    • Inorganic: Small toys, coins, button batteries (⚠️ high risk of corrosion/perforation).
  • Usual Suspect Location: Right main bronchus > Left main bronchus.

    ⭐ The majority of aspirated foreign bodies lodge in the right main bronchus due to its wider diameter and more vertical orientation.

  • Risk Factors: Male sex, underlying neurological disorders, developmental delay.

Chest X-rays of foreign body aspirationoka

Clinical Features - Chokes & Wheezes

Key: Sudden onset. Varies by FB location/obstruction.

  • Laryngeal FB:
    • Acute distress, stridor, hoarseness, aphonia.
    • May be life-threatening.
  • Tracheal FB:
    • Asthmatoid wheeze, audible slap, palpable thud.
    • Biphasic wheeze.
  • Bronchial FB (most common, R > L):
    • Persistent cough.
    • Localized/unilateral wheeze (often unresponsive to bronchodilators).
    • Unilateral ↓air entry.
    • 📌 CUD Triad: Cough, Unilateral wheeze, Decreased air entry (often incomplete).
    • Recurrent/non-resolving pneumonia, atelectasis.

Chest X-ray: Foreign body aspiration

⭐ Unilateral persistent wheezing in a child, especially if sudden in onset and unresponsive to bronchodilators, is highly suggestive of bronchial foreign body aspiration.

Diagnosis - Spotting Stowaways

  • History: Sudden onset choking, coughing, or gagging, especially if witnessed.
  • Clinical Examination:
    • Classic Triad: Unilateral wheeze, cough, decreased air entry.
    • Stridor (laryngeal/tracheal FB), hoarseness, or asymptomatic interval possible.
  • Imaging:
    • Chest X-ray (PA & Lateral):
      • Radio-opaque FB visible.
      • Indirect signs for radiolucent FB: Unilateral hyperinflation (ball-valve), mediastinal shift (expiratory film), atelectasis/collapse.
      • Inspiratory/Expiratory films or lateral decubitus views (affected side down) can accentuate findings.
      • Normal CXR in 15-30% of cases.
    • CT Scan: Useful for radiolucent FBs or equivocal X-ray findings.

⭐ A normal chest X-ray does not rule out foreign body aspiration, especially with a strong history.

  • Definitive Diagnosis & Treatment:
    • Rigid Bronchoscopy: Gold standard for both diagnosis and removal.

Chest X-ray: Foreign body in airway

Management & Prevention - Eviction & Escape

Eviction (Management):

  • Stable Patient:
    • X-ray (insp/exp, lat decubitus) may show air trapping, atelectasis.
    • Rigid bronchoscopy: Gold standard for diagnosis & removal.
  • Unstable Patient (Acute Choking):
    • <1 yr: 5 back blows, then 5 chest thrusts.
    • >1 yr: Heimlich maneuver (abdominal thrusts).
    • Ineffective: Direct laryngoscopy, Magill forceps.
    • Advanced airway (e.g., cricothyroidotomy) if fails.
  • Post-Eviction:
    • Observe; steroids/antibiotics if indicated.

⭐ > Rigid bronchoscopy is the definitive diagnostic and therapeutic procedure for most foreign body aspirations.

Prevention (Escape):

  • Age-appropriate food; avoid nuts/seeds/hard candy < 4 yrs.
  • Keep small objects (toys, coins, button batteries) out of reach.
  • Supervise children during meals and play. 📌 Mnemonic (Prevention): "Small PARTS" (Peanuts And Round Things Supervise).

High-Yield Points - ⚡ Biggest Takeaways

  • Peak incidence: 6 months - 3 years; organic FBs (e.g., peanuts) most common.
  • Right main bronchus is the most frequent site of lodgement.
  • Classic triad: Sudden cough, wheeze, ↓ air entry (unilateral); often incomplete.
  • Expiratory chest X-ray: Shows air trapping (hyperinflation) & mediastinal shift.
  • Rigid bronchoscopy: Gold standard for diagnosis and removal.
  • Ball-valve obstruction causes unilateral hyperinflation; complete obstruction causes atelectasis.
  • Beware of asymptomatic interval post-choking episode.

Practice Questions: Foreign Body Aspiration

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A child with acute respiratory distress showing hyperinflation of the unilateral lung in X-ray is due to –

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Flashcards: Foreign Body Aspiration

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What is the next best step in treatment for a child with a suspected foreign body in lung?_____

TAP TO REVEAL ANSWER

What is the next best step in treatment for a child with a suspected foreign body in lung?_____

Rigid bronchoscopy

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