Lung infections due to aspirated foreign bodies:analysis of 84 cases.

KAHRAMAN H. C., OĞUZKAYA F., AKÇALI Y. F.

Asian Cardiovasc Thorac Ann, vol.7, pp.305-8, 1999 (SCI-Expanded)

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 7
  • Publication Date: 1999
  • Journal Name: Asian Cardiovasc Thorac Ann
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED)
  • Page Numbers: pp.305-8
  • Erciyes University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Tracheobronchial foreign body aspiration is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in the pediatric population because of serious early and late complications. In our department, 84 patients with pneumonia (75), bronchiectasis (7), or lung abscess (2) due to aspirated foreign bodies were managed between 1978 and 1997. Neither the patients nor their parents reported aspiration of an object. Foreign bodies were verified during diagnostic bronchoscopies. One patient with an abscess and 74 of the patients with pneumonia were managed by medical therapy after removal of the foreign body. All patients with bronchiectasis underwent surgical treatment with lobectomy (6) or segmentectomy (1). The patients were discharged from hospital after a mean of 10 days. The mortality was 2.4% (2 patients). An aspirated foreign body should be suspected in cases of persistent or recurrent lung infection in the same location and bronchoscopy should be performed for diagnosis and management.