Laryngo-Tracheo-Bronchial Foreign Bodies between 1990 and 2004—A Clinical Study

Abstract

We reviewed 46 foreign bodies (males: 29, females: 17) in the larynx, trachea or bronchus treated between 1990 and 2004 at our hospital. The patients' ages ranged from 3 months to 93 years. Cases were most prevalent among infants around one year old (34.8%). The most common foreign body was a peanut (32.6%), as noted in other reports. The 33 cases of foreign bodies were radiolucent. In 9 of those 33 cases (27.3%), Holtzknecht's sign was useful in diagnosis. Four foreign bodies (tooth crown) in the bronchi were suspected to be related to endotracheal intubation.