Abstract

Aim: We retrospectively reviewed the patients who had rigid and virtual computed tomography (CT) bronchoscopy for the diagnosis and treatment of foreign body aspiration (FBA) in order to evaluate the role of virtual CT in the diagnosis of FBA.

Material and Method: The records of patients who had bronchoscopy between 2006-2010 and virtual bronchoscopy between 2008-2010 including age, sex, signs and symptoms, presence of FBA history, results of chest film and virtual CT bronchoscopy, type and location of foreign bodies were reviewed.

Results: The total number of cases were 43 (24 male, 56 %; 19 female, 44 %) with a mean age of 29 months (1-168 months), Thirtysix of the cases were under 3 years of age. The most frequent symptom and sign in patients were coughing and decreased breath sounds, obstructive emphysema on imaging studies of the effected side. Radiology was normal in 14 patients (33 %). Most frequently (24 %) sunflower seed was aspirated and 44 % of the foreign bodies were located in the right bronchus. FBA was present in 11 cases, including the cases with suspicious FBA, which virtual CT bronchoscopy was performed. Foreign body aspiration was detected in all 31 patients with aspiration history and in 10 (83 %) of 12 patients with negative aspiration history. Foreign body was found in all 11 patients who had virtual bronchoscopy including 4 patients without aspiration history. One patient died (2.5 %) due to a pneumothorax that occured during rigid bronchoscopy.

Conclusion: FBA is seen more frequently in children under 3 years of age. In cases with a suspicious history of aspiration and radiological findings, virtual CT bronchoscopy, is useful in the diagnosis. In cases with diagnostic certainity, we do not advocate it because of high dose radiation.