An Unusual Case of Foreign Body Aspiration in 6-year-old Boy

Abstract

Foreign body aspiration (FBA) is a common cause of mortality and morbidity in children. FBA is not always immediately diagnosed, partly because this diagnosis is not frequently in mind, but also because FBA does not have a specific clinical manifestation. FBA can be misdiagnosed as asthma, upper respiratory tract infection, pneumonia, or croup. Sometimes, FBA can be completely asymptomatic. We present the case with a delay in diagnosing FBA and discuss the appropriate management of suspected foreign body aspiration in a 6-year-old boy. This case illustrates the need for prompt action and a high level of suspicion in patients with prolonged symptoms and no resolution with standard treatment. Diagnosis should always be based on a combination of data obtained from the clinical history, physical examination, and radiographic findings. However, the normal appearance of a chest X-ray does not exclude the possibility of FBA.