Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The origin of bronchial foreign bodies: a retrospective study and literature review

  • Miscellaneous
  • Published:
European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Nasal foreign bodies are managed as an emergency for the risk of aspiration, yet it is not clear what proportion of bronchial foreign bodies actually originate in the nose. The aim of this study was to identify the origin of bronchial foreign bodies and estimate the risk of a nasal foreign body becoming impacted in the bronchial tree. We present a retrospective study of suspected bronchial foreign body cases at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge, UK, who underwent a bronchoscopy between 2002 and 2007. We further compare our experience with a literature review on bronchial and nasal foreign bodies to highlight important differences between these distinct clinical problems. Our experience shows that all cases of proven foreign body at bronchoscopy had ingested the foreign body orally. We could find only one case of a nasal foreign body in the literature that had been ingested during its removal, but no cases specifically entering the tracheo-bronchial tree. We therefore conclude that bronchial foreign bodies have their origin almost invariably in the mouth and the risk of a nasal foreign body entering the bronchial tree is negligible (<0.06%).

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Mu L, He P, Sun D (1991) Inhalation of foreign bodies in Chinese children: a review of 400 cases. Laryngoscope 101:657–660

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Keith FM, Charrette EJ, Lynn RB, Salerno TA (1980) Inhalation of foreign bodies by children: a continuing challenge in management. Can Med Assoc J 122(52):55–57

    Google Scholar 

  3. Darrow DH, Holinger LD (1996) Aerodigestive tract foreign bodies in the older child and adolescent. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 105:267–271

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Baharloo F, Veyckemans F, Francis C, Biettlot MP, Rodenstein DO (1999) Tracheobronchial foreign bodies: presentation and management in children and adults. Chest 115:1357–1362

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Aydogan LB, Tuncer U, Soylu L, Kiroglu M, Ozsahinoglu C (2006) Rigid bronchoscopy for the suspicion of foreign body in the airway. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 70:823–828

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Bittencourt PF, Camargos PA, Scheinmann P, de Blic J (2006) Foreign body aspiration: clinical, radiological findings and factors associated with its late removal. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 70:879–884

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Sersar SI, Rizk WH, Bilal M, El Diasty MM, Eltantawy TA, Abdelhakam BB, Elgamal AM, Bieh AA (2006) Inhaled foreign bodies: presentation, management and value of history and plain chest radiography in delayed presentation. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 134:92–99

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Endican S, Garap JP, Dubey SP (2006) Ear, nose and throat foreign bodies in Melanesian children: an analysis of 1037 cases. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 70:1539–1545

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Soysal O, Kuzucu A, Ulutas H (2006) Tracheobronchial foreign body aspiration: a continuing challenge. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 135:223–226

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Gregori D, Salerni L, Scarinzi C, Morra B, Berchialla P, Snidero S, Corradetti R, Passali D (2008) Foreign bodies in the upper airways causing complications and requiring hospitalization in children aged 0–14 years: results from the ESFBI study. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol

  11. Okoye BC, Onotai LO (2006) Foreign bodies in the nose. Niger J Med 15:301–304

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Figueiredo RR, Azevedo AA, Kos AO, Tomita S (2006) Nasal foreign bodies: description of types and complications in 420 cases. Braz J Otorhinolaryngol 72:18–23

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Kalan A, Tariq M (2000) Foreign bodies in the nasal cavities: a comprehensive review of the aetiology, diagnostic pointers, and therapeutic measures. Postgrad Med J 76:484–487

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Balbani AP, Sanchez TG, Butugan O, Kii MA, Angelico FV Jr, Ikino CM, D’Antonio WE (1998) Ear and nose foreign body removal in children. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 46:37–42

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Tong MC, Ying SY, van Hasselt CA (1996) Nasal foreign bodies in children. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 35:207–211

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Baker MD (1987) Foreign bodies of the ears and nose in childhood. Pediatr Emerg Care 3:67–70

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Gregori D, Salerni L, Scarinzi C, Morra B, Berchialla P, Snidero S, Corradetti R, Passali D (2008) Foreign bodies in the nose causing complications and requiring hospitalization in children 0–14 age: results from the European survey of foreign bodies injuries study. Rhinology 46:28–33

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Conflict of interest statement

All authors confirm that there is no conflict of interest to declare for this study.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Otolaryngology, Clinic 10, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Box 48, Hills Rd, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK

    Abdul A. Qureshi, David A. Lowe & David C. McKiernan

Authors
  1. Abdul A. Qureshi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. David A. Lowe
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. David C. McKiernan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Abdul A. Qureshi.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Qureshi, A.A., Lowe, D.A. & McKiernan, D.C. The origin of bronchial foreign bodies: a retrospective study and literature review. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 266, 1645–1648 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-008-0885-4

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-008-0885-4

Keywords

Search

Navigation