Neglected Bronchial Foreign Body in a Child Simulating a Calcified Mass Lesion: Challenging Computed Tomography Diagnosis

The well known habit of children to place objects in mouth frequently leads to impaction of foreign body in tracheobronchial tree. It is one of the leading causes of accidental home deaths in children under 6 years. (1) The major issue involves the accurate diagnosis, speedy and safe retrieval of the foreign body. The accurate diagnosis may elude even the sophisticated physician because often the initial choking incidents are not witnessed and the delayed symptoms may mimic other common conditions, such as asthma, pneumonia, or upper respiratory tract infections. (1-3) The most common foreign bodies aspirated are food products - peanuts, beans and seeds. (1,4) Beans and seeds absorb water over time and with subsequent swelling rapidly change from partial to complete bronchial obstruction. Some organic foreign bodies cause surrounding tissue reaction, and this may result in a condition known as arachidic bronchitis. (3)