Publication:

Clinical profile of tracheo-bronchial foreign body inhalation at tertiary care center

Background Inhalation of foreign bodies can be life threatening and are common in paediatric age group with peak incidence in the age group of 1-3 years. The objectives were to study the clinical profile of foreign body (FB) inhalation and to study the complications of tracheo-bronchial foreign body and rigid bronchoscopy.

Methods A cross-sectional hospital based diagnostic study conducted for 1 year, done on 50 patients with FB inhalation, included consecutively in study after obtaining informed consent. Patients were assessed and interviewed for socio demographic details and examined using chest X-ray PA view, routine investigations and pre-anaesthetic evaluation. After all investigations a diagnostic bronchoscopy under general anaesthesia was performed to extract the foreign body. Data were analyzed through tables and diagrams and appropriate test of significance by Epi Info software.

Results Total 50 FB inhalation cases (up to 10 years) in which 40% presented within 5 days to 2 weeks after inhalation. 92% were presents with cough and on chest examination 88% found to had decreased air entry, 72% presents with decreased movement and dull percussion on affected side. 70% of patients had abnormal chest X-ray finding. Foreign body found were groundnut (44%) followed by supari (32%) mostly in right main bronchus. We observed 10% patients with pneumonia, 4% had granuloma and 2% had bronchospasm.

Conclusions Prevention is best, but early recognition remains a critical factor in the treatment of FB inhalation in children.