Foreign body aspiration: Clinical, radiological findings and factors associated with its late removal

SummaryObjectiveThe study was carried out to assess the clinical and radiological findings and factors related to delay in definite diagnosis of foreign body aspiration and its removal.MethodsMedical charts of 280 bronchoscopic-proven foreign body (FB) inhalators were reviewed. To analyze factors related to late removal, the population studied was divided into two groups according to time elapsed between injury and care-seeking (up to 24 h and longer than 24 h) followed by FB removal.ResultsMost children (69.5%) were under three, most were males (63.1%) and in 47.5%, rigid bronchoscopy was performed 24 h after the accident. Organic foreign bodies were found in 63.4% of cases, most frequently peanuts (20.5%). Mortality related to FB aspiration reached 0.7%. In comparison with endoscopic diagnosis, clinical and radiological abnormalities were found in 99.3 and 84.3% (95% CI, 79.5–88.4%) of studied patients, respectively. The number of health services sought until definite diagnosis was the only factor associated with late removal (OR = 23.0, 95% CI, 10.7–49.3%, p < 0.001).ConclusionThe population studied presented a long delay in FB removal, thus demanding actions enhancing parent, physician and health services awareness, aiming at an earlier referral for diagnostic and therapeutic bronchoscopy.