Bronchial Foreign Bodies

Most often they enter the right lower lobe bronchus. There is often no history of foreign body aspiration. The leading symptom is an attack of painful coughing, which then becomes chronic.

Solid foreign bodies (parts of dentures, small bones) are in most cases radiopaque. Organic foreign bodies (nuts, particles of fruits and vegetables, plant grains) are usually X-ray negative. An X-ray examination reveals a picture characteristic of atelectasis with complete, or valve, blockage of the bronchi later, signs of sluggish pneumonia are usually found.

Treatment. Emergency bronchoscopy under general anesthesia and removal of the foreign body.

Forecast favorable for timely removal of foreign bodies.

Aspiration of gastric contents (Mendelssohn syndrome). Acute toxic edema as a result of contact of hydrochloric acid with the mucous membrane of the bronchi of small generations.

Treatment: bronchoscopy with bronchial lavage and aspiration of contents, corticosteroids (250 mg prednisone).

Aspiration of large quantities of water leads to acute pulmonary edema. Loss of protein into the bronchial lumen leads to excess production of mucous secretions and hyaline membranes. Major electrolyte disturbances (salt water) or hemolysis (fresh water) are rare.

Treatment: therapy of pulmonary edema, bronchoscopic sanitation.