Occult foreign body aspirations in pediatric patients: 20-years of experience

Abstract

Abstract Background The purpose of our study was to assess the frequency of occult foreign body aspiration (FBA) and to evaluate the diagnostic difficulties and therapeutic methods for these patients. Methods Between May 2000 and May 2020, 3557 patients with the diagnosis of FBA were treated in our department. Thirty-five patients with occult FBA were included in this study. A retrospective analysis of medical records was performed. Results Twenty-three male patients (65.7%) and 12 female patients (34.3%) were hospitalized due to occult FBA. The average age was 3.60 years (range 9 months-12 years). Most of the patients were younger than 3 years old (n = 25, 71.4%). Coughing (n = 35, 100%) and wheezing (n = 18, 51.4%) were the main symptoms and signs. All the patients were found to have a FBA under the fiberoptic bronchoscope. The most common organic foreign bodies were peanuts (n = 10) and the most common inorganic foreign bodies were pen caps (n = 5). The extraction of foreign bodies under rigid bronchoscopy was applied successfully in 34 patients. Only one patient needed a surgical intervention. Conclusions Occult FBA should always be considered in the differential diagnosis of chronic or recurrent respiratory diseases that are poorly explained, even in the absence of a previous history of aspiration.