Expectoration of an occult foreign body six asymptomatic years after aspiration

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

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.

Aspiration of two permanent teeth during maxillofacial injuries

Aspiration of a tooth in maxillofacial injuries is a known complication necessitating prompt recognition and early treatment to minimize potentially serious and, sometimes, even fatal consequences. Here, we report a rare and unusual case in its presentation, the patient having aspirated 2 permanent teeth after maxillofacial, cervical vertebrae, and thoracic region crush injuries due to a motor vehicle accident. The diagnosis of teeth aspiration was delayed until 2 weeks after the event. An aspirated anterior tooth was expectorated by the patient himself, and the other aspirated anterior tooth was removed by flexible bronchoscopy. The paper also emphasizes that clinicians must be aware of dental injury resulting from maxillofacial injuries and account for all teeth as part of their evaluation, keeping an open mind as to where a missing tooth might be located. A rapid diagnosis depends on high clinical suspicion, clinical signs, and radiologic findings.

Elevated blood lead resulting from maxillofacial gunshot injuries with lead ingestion

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to identify the contribution of ingested lead particles to elevated blood lead concentrations in victims of gunshot injury to the maxillofacial region.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

As part of a larger study of the effects of retained lead bullets on blood lead, a retrospective review of study findings was completed on 5 of 8 patients who sustained injuries to the maxillofacial region. These 5 patients were recruited into the larger study within 11 days of injury and showed a penetration path for the projectile that engaged the upper aerodigestive tract. All subjects were recruited from patients presenting for care of their gunshot injuries to a large inner-city trauma center with a retained bullet resulting from a gunshot injury. An initial blood lead level was measured for all recruited patients and repeated 1 to 17 weeks later. Medical history was taken along with a screening and risk factor questionnaire to determine other potential or actual sources (occupational/recreational) of lead exposure. (109)Cd K-shell x-ray fluorescence determinations of bone lead were completed to determine past lead exposure not revealed by medical history and risk factor questionnaire. Radiographs taken of the abdomen and chest, required as a part of the patient's hospital care, were retrospectively reviewed for signs of metallic fragments along the aerodigestive tract.

RESULTS

All 5 patients retained multiple lead pellets or fragments at the site of injury, sustained fractures of the facial bones, and showed increases in blood lead. Three of the 5 study subjects who sustained maxillofacial gunshot injuries involving the mouth, nose, or throat region showed metallic densities along the gastrointestinal tract indicative of ingested bullet fragments. Each patient with ingested bullet fragments showed rapid elevation of blood lead exceeding 25 microg/dL and sustained increases well beyond the time when all ingested fragments were eliminated. A 3-year follow-up on these 3 patients showed significantly sustained elevation of blood lead but less than that observed during the initial 6 months after injury. None of the 5 study subjects showed any evidence of metallic foreign bodies within the tracheobronchial regions indicative of aspiration.

CONCLUSION

Ingestion of lead fragments can result from gunshot injuries to the maxillofacial region and may substantially contribute to a rapid increase in blood lead level. Prompt diagnosis and elimination of ingested lead fragments are essential steps necessary to prevent lead being absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. Increased blood lead in victims after gunshot injuries must be fully evaluated for all potential sources, including recent environmental exposure, absorption of lead from any remaining bullets in body tissues, and the possibility of mobilization of lead from long-term body stores such as bone.