Suspected foreign body inhalation in children: what are the indications for bronchoscopy?

Objective: To define the criteria for bronchoscopy in children with suspected foreign body (FB) inhalation.

Study Design: Health history, physical examination, and radiologic examination were performed before bronchoscopy in all children referred for suspected FB inhalation between 2003 and 2005.

Results: A total of 142 children, ranging in age from 3 months to 14 years (median age, 20 months), were referred with a history of suspected FB inhalation. An FB was found in 42 children with abnormal physical and radiologic findings, in 17 children with abnormal physical or radiologic findings, and in 2 children with normal physical and radiologic finding but persistent cough. Bronchoscopy revealed no FB in the children with normal physical and radiologic examinations and no symptoms (n = 16).

Conclusion: In children with a history of choking, bronchoscopy is mandatory in the presence of persistent symptoms, such as cough, dyspnea, and fever, or any abnormal physical or chest radiography findings. Bronchoscopy is not necessary in asymptomatic children with normal physical and radiographic examinations.