Tracheobronchial foreign bodies in children – diagnostic and therapeutic aspects

Abstract

Introduction Tracheobronchial foreign bodies- one of the major emergencies in children, life-threatening, which has a high rate in the structure of infant mortality. Purpose Study the diagnostic and therapeutic aspects - in suspicions of tracheobronchial foreign bodies in children. Material and methods 1. Retrospective study - 212 cases with suspected tracheobronchial foreign body, treated in the District Hospitals, by the ENT doctors of the Clinic „Em. Coţaga”, on the AVIASAN line, between 2011 and 2018 years. Results 1. Of the 188 cases (88.7%) confirmed by bronchoscopy - 63.3% were at boys. 2. Most cases (75.5%) - age group of 1-3 years. 3. Penetration syndrome - in 89.2%. 4. The most common symptom – cough (96.2 %), followed by dyspnoea (81.7%) and cyanosis (54.2%). 5. The most common radiological sign – emphysema (29%), followed by atelectasis (17%). 6. Organic foreign bodies predominated (80.32%), followed by inorganic ones (19.68%). 7. The localization of the aspirated bodies prevailed in the right bronchus (60.10%). 8. The predominance of sunflower seeds (30.85%) and walnut kernel (23.93%) is observed. Conclusions The evolution and prognosis of tracheobronchial foreign body aspiration depend on the perception of the diagnosis and the therapeutic intervention.