A Broken Fruit Knife: Half in the Bronchus and Half in the Duodenum

Abstract

Foreign bodies in the airway, as well as those in the upper gastrointestinal tract, are life-threatening conditions and require prompt intervention. We report on a 44-year-old male patient who presented with 4 days of intermittent cough. A computed tomography was performed showing two metallic foreign bodies located in the right main bronchus and the duodenum. The knife blade was successfully removed by upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. However, the broken end of the blade was incarcerated in the right main bronchus and was removed via thoracotomy after the failure of endoscopic treatment. Endoscopy, such as flexible/rigid bronchoscopy or gastroscopy, is the first choice for removing foreign bodies for its minimal invasiveness. Nevertheless, removal of foreign bodies might be technically difficult when incarcerated, and surgical treatment is indicated after unsuccessful endoscopic treatment.