Foreign Body Aspiration in the Pediatric Population in Kuwait: Experience of 901 Cases
Derar AlShehab
Department of Thoracic and Foregut, Chest Diseases Hospital, Kuwait.
Essa AlGhunaim
Department of Thoracic and Foregut, Chest Diseases Hospital, Kuwait.
Yousef AlEid
Department of Thoracic and Foregut, Chest Diseases Hospital, Kuwait.
Abdullah AlElewah
Department of Thoracic and Foregut, Chest Diseases Hospital, Kuwait.
Hussain AlShimali *
Department of Thoracic and Cardiac Surgery, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, USA.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Objective: The aim of this study is to report chest diseases hospital experience with foreign body aspiration in pediatric age group.
Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of the data of all pediatric patients <18 years of age who underwent flexible and rigid bronchoscopy for suspected foreign body aspiration. Data was collected from a national tertiary center in Kuwait from 2009 until 2015. A total of 901 patients underwent rigid bronchoscopy for suspected foreign body aspiration. Foreign body aspiration was identified in 403 (44.7%) patients. History of choking, witnessed aspiration, respiratory distress, stridor, positive finding on chest x-ray and auscultation were significantly associated with positive bronchoscopy.
Conclusion: Detailed history, physical examination, radiological finding can be utilized to aid in the diagnosis of foreign body aspiration and prevent complications.
Keywords: Bronchoscopy, foreign body, thoracic, respiratory