INTRODUCTION: Foreign body aspiration (FBA) can have a fatal outcome, and the diagnosis is challenging since symptoms and signs may vary. We therefore investigated whether it was possible to identify predictors indicating the presence of a foreign body. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The medical records of children undergoing bronchoscopy at Odense University Hospital for suspected FBA in the period from 1977 to 2010 were reviewed and analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 143 children underwent bronchoscopy due to suspected FBA. The medical records of 137 of these children were accessible. Their median age was 1.84 years, 62.8% were male and foreign bodies were found in 76 cases (55.5%). The only variable that statistically significantly predicted the presence of a foreign body was a radiologic finding (any abnormal chest X-ray or fluoroscopy) (p = 0.023). A foreign body was found in 22 out of 47 (46.8%) patients with no radiologic findings and in three of 11 (27%) patients with neither symptoms at admission nor radiologic or physical findings. CONCLUSION: Parental suspicion of an FBA indicates acute bronchoscopy in children regardless of signs, symptoms and findings.
INTRODUCTION: Foreign body aspiration (FBA) can have a fatal outcome, and the diagnosis is challenging since symptoms and signs may vary. We therefore investigated whether it was possible to identify predictors indicating the presence of a foreign body. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The medical records of children undergoing bronchoscopy at Odense University Hospital for suspected FBA in the period from 1977 to 2010 were reviewed and analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 143 children underwent bronchoscopy due to suspected FBA. The medical records of 137 of these children were accessible. Their median age was 1.84 years, 62.8% were male and foreign bodies were found in 76 cases (55.5%). The only variable that statistically significantly predicted the presence of a foreign body was a radiologic finding (any abnormal chest X-ray or fluoroscopy) (p = 0.023). A foreign body was found in 22 out of 47 (46.8%) patients with no radiologic findings and in three of 11 (27%) patients with neither symptoms at admission nor radiologic or physical findings. CONCLUSION: Parental suspicion of an FBA indicates acute bronchoscopy in children regardless of signs, symptoms and findings.