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Role of bronchoscopy and imaging in long-standing foreign body bronchus presenting as recurrent or non-resolving lower respiratory tract infection

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

Abstract

Introduction

A long-standing retained foreign body in the bronchus is unusual. In majority of cases, an adequate history is not obtained, the clinical picture is usually clouded by superadded pathological changes.

Case Series

We report three cases of long-standing foreign body in the airway who presented with recurrent lower respiratory tract infection. Examination of respiratory system revealed no significant abnormality. Chest radiograph was normal. CT scan of the chest was useful to indicate endobronchial opacity in the airway suggestive of a foreign body. The patients underwent rigid bronchoscopy under general anesthesia for successful removal of the foreign body.

Conclusion

So the patients with non-resolving or recurrent lower respiratory symptoms in spite of medical treatment and without any obstructive findings must undergo diagnostic bronchoscopy evaluation and imaging.

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Funding

The author(s) received no financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

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Contributions

RB and AJ had peer reviewed our article and helped in guiding and proof-reading. SA had contributed with the idea of writing the article and review of literature. SP and GSS helped in collecting data and patient management.

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Correspondence to S. Gopi Shankar.

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The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

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Informed consent for publication was obtained from the family member of the subject included in the case.

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Agrawal, S.R., Gopi Shankar, S., Joshi, A.A. et al. Role of bronchoscopy and imaging in long-standing foreign body bronchus presenting as recurrent or non-resolving lower respiratory tract infection. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 278, 1477–1481 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-020-06497-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-020-06497-4

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