A Case of Bronchial Foreign Body Aspiration Caused by Inhaling a Mukago (Edible Yam Bulbil) Presenting With Persistent Cough.

Abstract

An 85-year-old man presented with a persistent cough accompanied by sputum production. He was initially treated with antibiotics and expectorants but showed no improvement. Chest computed tomography revealed a dense nodule in the right bronchus intermedius. On detailed history-taking, he recalled eating mukago-a small edible bulbil of Dioscorea japonica that is occasionally consumed in Japan-shortly before symptom onset. Flexible bronchoscopy identified an oval, hard foreign body lodged in the bronchus, which was successfully removed using biopsy forceps. The extracted object was confirmed to be a mukago. His cough disappeared after removal. Our case highlights the importance of considering foreign body aspiration in elderly patients presenting with unexplained chronic cough, even in the absence of overt choking episodes. Thorough dietary history-taking, appropriate imaging, and bronchoscopy are essential for timely diagnosis and effective management of foreign body aspiration.