A Review of Cases of Bronchial Foreign Bodies in Our Hospital

Abstract

We analyzed 8 cases of bronchial foreign bodies in our hospital from 2003 to 2007. Patients' ages ranged from 9 months to 6 years old, with a mean of 2.3 years old. The ratio of males to females was 1:1. We detected abnormal findings such as atelectasis and emphysema in 5 patients by chest X-ray. However, in 3 patients, there were no abnormal findings. CT scan was able to clarify the localization of foreign bodies in all cases. Therefore, CT scan was useful for the diagnosis of bronchial foreign bodies. We removed the foreign bodies by ventilation bronchoscopy under general anesthesia in all cases. It was very important to observe the bronchus before and after the removal of foreign bodies using a flexible fiberscope to identify foreign bodies and remove them precisely. It is also very important for otorhinolaryngologists, anesthesiologists, pediatricians, etc., to work together in order to comprehensively treat bronchial foreign bodies.