Highlights & Basics
- Inhalation of a foreign body into the larynx and respiratory tract.
- Symptoms include sudden onset of respiratory distress associated with coughing, gagging, or stridor. Unilateral wheezing suggests partial obstruction of the main or distal bronchi.
- Major causes of foreign body aspiration are altered mental status from alcohol or sedative use; seizure; neurologic disorders; trauma associated with a decreased level of consciousness; dental procedures; advanced or young age; and disorders associated with dysphagia and impaired cough reflex.
- Flexible bronchoscopy confirms suspected cases of foreign body aspiration and can be used to attempt removal of the foreign body. Rigid bronchoscopy is performed if flexible bronchoscopy fails.
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Citations
Boyd M, Chatterjee A, Chiles C, et al. Tracheobronchial foreign body aspiration in adults. South Med J. 2009 Feb;102(2):171-4.[Abstract]
Faro A, Wood RE, Schechter MS, et al. Official American Thoracic Society technical standards: flexible airway endoscopy in children. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2015 May 1;191(9):1066-80.[Abstract][Full Text]
Hewlett JC, Rickman OB, Lentz RJ, et al. Foreign body aspiration in adult airways: therapeutic approach. J Thorac Dis. 2017 Sep;9(9):3398-409.[Abstract][Full Text]
Perkins GD, Graesner JT, Semeraro F, et al. European Resuscitation Council Guidelines 2021: Executive summary. Resuscitation. 2021 Apr;161:1-60.[Abstract]
Wyckoff MH, Greif R, Morley PT, et al. 2022 International consensus on cardiopulmonary resuscitation and emergency cardiovascular care science with treatment recommendations: summary from the basic life support; advanced life support; pediatric life support; neonatal life support; education, implementation, and teams; and first aid task forces. Circulation. 2022 Dec 20;146(25):e483-557.[Abstract][Full Text]
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