Radiopaque foreign body inhalations.

Background: The most frequent cause of accidental household death in children under 6 years of age is inhalation of a foreign body. Delayed management is blamed for death. The absence of a recognizable penetration syndrome complicates and delays not only the diagnosis but also the treatment of foreign body inhalation.

Objective: This report aimed to highlight the problem of radiopaque foreign body inhalation and analyze part of our experience in the treatment of such cases.

Methods: A multicenter experience in the management of radiopaque inhaled foreign bodies in 3 centers in Egypt and Saudi Arabia was reviewed retrospectively, including old and new techniques to remove the foreign body. The study included data from 136 cases.

Results: The majority of patients were female (91.17%). The mean age was 12 years. More than one-third of the inhaled foreign bodies were found on the left side. A positive history of chocking was reported in more than 95%. Almost 87% presented in the first 24 h after inhalation.

Conclusion: Early rigid bronchoscopic extraction of inhaled radiopaque foreign bodies can be achieved with acceptable results. Video-assisted bronchoscopic removal of an inhaled foreign body may be safer.