Elevated Squamous Cell Carcinoma Associated Antigen and Pulmonary Nodule Caused by Airway Foreign Bodies Mimic Lung Cancer.

Abstract

Background: Airway foreign bodies can occur at any age and often expose the patients to the risk of pulmonary infections, pulmonary atelectasis, and even asphyxia. It is more commonly observed in children and less likely in adults. We report a case of an elderly man with elevated squamous cell carcinoma-associated antigen combined with multiple nodules in both lungs, initially diagnosed as lung cancer and eventually diagnosed as multiple foreign bodies in both lungs by bronchoscopy.

Methods: Appropriate laboratory tests, chest enhanced CT, and bronchoscopy.

Results: Squamous cell carcinoma-associated antigen (SCC) was elevated to 6.73 ng/mL, and an enhanced chest CT showed multiple nodular ground glass shadows in both lungs. Bronchoscopy indicated that smooth green foreign bodies were visible in the opening of the upper lobe of the left lung, smooth red foreign bodies were visible in the opening of the lower lobe of the right lung, irregular white foreign bodies were visible in the opening of the anterior segment of the upper lobe of the right lung, and the surrounding granulation tissue was hyperplasia. After the removal of the foreign body, the airway became unobstructed, and the patient's blood oxygen saturation was significantly improved.

Conclusions: The clinical manifestation of tracheobronchial foreign body in the elderly are not typical, so they are often missed or misdiagnosed. The bronchoscope is very important in diagnosing and treating the trachea and bronchial foreign body. At the same time, it is also important to promote measures to prevent food inhalation in the family for the elderly who are at the wrong risk of inhalation.