Abstract
Objective: To determine the type, clinical feature
and management of inhaled foreign body in
children.
Methodology: This descriptive study was done at
the department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck
Surgery, Fauji Foundation Hospital, Rawalpindi
from Feb 2016 to Feb 2017. A total of 70 cases
were successfully treated by endoscopy. Rigid
endoscopy as done in 98.6% and direct
laryngoscopy in 1.4% for foreign body removal.
Frequency of presenting complaints that was
dyspnea, cyanosis, choking, coughing, wheezing,
tachypnea; different types of foreign bodies in
tracheobronchial tree and X-ray Chest findings
like the object, hyperinflation, emphysema,
bronchiectasis or atelectasis were analyzed. Data
were analyzed using SPSS version 17.
Results: Out of 70 patients, 72.85% were male
and 27.15% were female with age range from 8
months to 12 years. The most common symptom
was cough in 68.65%, chocking in 62.9% and
dyspnea in 41.4% patients. Peanuts were the
most common object in 42.85% followed by
whistle, as a whole or part in 30%, pins and
needles in 12.85%, plastic pellets in 11.4% and
miscellaneous objects in 2.85%.
Conclusion: Bronchoscopy is the most effective
diagnostic and therapeutic modality due to short
comings of history, physical examination and
radiology. Early diagnosis and immediate removal
are essential. (Rawal Med J 202;45:619-621).
