Foreign body aspiration

Foreign body aspiration
Aspiration of corn kernel that became lodged in the airway of an adult patient.
SpecialtyRespirology
SymptomsFever, choking, sore throat, drooling, stridor, speech difficulties, cyanosis, bronchitis, coughing, wheezing
ComplicationsPulmonary aspiration, blockage, pneumonia, respiratory failure, respiratory infection, cardiopulmonary arrest, pulmonary embolism, pulmonary hemorrhage
Usual onsetSudden or gradual
Risk factorsChildren ages 3 and lower, alcoholism, drug abuse, senility, Parkinson's disease, improper eating habits, chest trauma, neck trauma, Alzheimer's disease
Differential diagnosisAsthma, COPD, lung cancer, poisoning, drug overdose, cyanide poisoning, epileptic seizures, esophageal cancer, laryngeal cancer

Foreign body aspiration occurs when a foreign body enters the airway which can cause difficulty breathing or choking.[1] Objects may reach the respiratory tract and the digestive tract from the mouth and nose, but when an object enters the respiratory tract it is termed aspiration. The foreign body can then become lodged in the trachea or further down the respiratory tract such as in a bronchus.[2] Regardless of the type of object, any aspiration can be a life-threatening situation and requires timely recognition and action to minimize risk of complications.[3] While advances have been made in management of this condition leading to significantly improved clinical outcomes, there were still 2,700 deaths resulting from foreign body aspiration in 2018.[4] Approximately one child dies every five days due to choking on food in the United States, highlighting the need for improvements in education and prevention.[5]

  1. ^ "Foreign Body Aspiration: Overview - eMedicine". Retrieved 2008-12-16.
  2. ^ Federico, Monica (2018). Current Diagnosis & Treatment: Pediatrics, 24e, "Respiratory Tract & Mediastinum". New York, NY: McGraw-Hill. ISBN 978-1259862908.
  3. ^ Foltran, Francesca; Ballali, Simonetta; Passali, Francesco Maria; Kern, Eugene; Morra, Bruno; Passali, Giulio Cesare; Berchialla, Paola; Lauriello, Maria; Gregori, Dario (2012-05-14). "Foreign bodies in the airways: A meta-analysis of published papers". International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology. Foreign bodies injuries in children: an update. 76: S12–S19. doi:10.1016/j.ijporl.2012.02.004. ISSN 0165-5876. PMID 22333317.
  4. ^ EBSCO Informational Services (2020). "Foreign Body Aspiration". DynaMed. Retrieved 2 November 2020.
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference :9 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).