Delayed diagnosis of foreign body aspiration in a child: A case report

Abstract

Accidental inhalation of foreign bodies continues to cause childhood morbidity and mortality. There is need for prompt recognition and treatment to avoid serious adverse outcomes. We present a case of a four-year old female who aspirated a metallic foreign body into the left main bronchus. The child was unsuccessfully treated over four months for recurrent chest infection. Chest X-ray showed a foreign body lodged in the left main bronchus while bronchoscopy was unsuccessful due to the impacted foreign body. Left thoracotomy was done to extract the umbrella head of a roofing nail 20 mm in diameter.