Abstract

Aim: Foreign body aspiration is one of the important childhood emergencies. We aimed to present the patients who underwent bronchoscopic physical examination for suspected foreign body aspiration in our clinic, and diagnostic efficacy of physical examination and radiography findings was evaluated.

Material and Methods: Hospital records of the patients, who underwent bronchoscopy for suspected foreign body aspiration in 2013 and 2014 in our clinic, were investigated retrospectively.

Results: Bronchoscopy was performed on 36 patients for suspect foreign body aspiration. The average age of the patients was 4.1 (1-11) years and the female/male ratio was 9/27. Foreign body was only detected in 27 (75%) patients. Foreign body was detected in 25 (86.2%) of 29 patients who had aspiration story; in 15 (78.9%) of 19 patients who had significant physical examination, and in 11 (73.3%) of 15 patients who had significant radiographic findings.

Conclusion: Physical examination and radiographic findings don’t aid in the diagnosis of foreign body aspiration as is seen in our patients. Bronchoscopy must be done to all patients who are referred for suspect foreign body aspirations regardless of physical examination and radiographic findings.