FMGE 2023 — ENT

Q: A 2-year-old child was brought to the emergency department. The child was having difficulty in speaking and breathing. An X-ray was performed, given below. Which among the following is the best treatment for this condition?

Esophagoscopy. ***Esophagoscopy*** - The flat, circular appearance of the coin on an AP X-ray is characteristic of a foreign body in the **esophagus** (coins in the trachea appear sagittal/linear on AP view). - An **esophageal foreign body** can compress the trachea from behind, causing respiratory distress, especially in young children with a narrow airway. - **Esophagoscopy** is the definitive treatment for removing esophageal foreign bodies and will relieve both the mechanical obstruction and the tracheal compression causing respiratory symptoms. - This should be performed urgently in a child with respiratory compromise, with anesthesia support ready to secure the airway if needed. *Tracheostomy* - A **tracheostomy** would be indicated for direct **tracheal or laryngeal obstruction** that cannot be relieved by other means. - However, in this case, the foreign body is in the **esophagus** (not the trachea), and the respiratory distress is due to external compression of the trachea. - Performing a tracheostomy would not remove the foreign body and is unnecessarily invasive when the definitive treatment (esophagoscopy) can address both the obstruction and the symptoms. *Laryngoscopy* - A **laryngoscopy** is used to visualize the larynx and can remove foreign bodies at or above the vocal cords. - The X-ray findings indicate an **esophageal** foreign body, not a laryngeal one, making laryngoscopy inappropriate for definitive management. *Oxygen* - Supplemental **oxygen** is an important supportive measure to improve oxygen saturation in any patient with respiratory distress. - However, it does not address the underlying mechanical problem (the esophageal foreign body compressing the trachea) and is not definitive treatment.

11 Questions — Page 2 of 2

Q11

A 2-year-old child was brought to the emergency department. The child was having difficulty in speaking and breathing. An X-ray was performed, given below. Which among the following is the best treatment for this condition?