Massive surgical Emphysema and Pneumomediastinum in foreign body Aspiration

Abstract

Introduction: Foreign body ingestion is a potentially serious problem that peaks in children aged six months to three years. It causes serious morbidity in less than one percent of all patients, and approximately 1,500 deaths per year are attributed to ingestion of foreign bodies in the United States. The most common symptoms of foreign body inhalation are positive history following by cough and breathlessness. Commonly ingested foreign body includes: sharp needles, tooth picks, chicken and fish bones, peanuts, straightened paper clips and coins. Rigid bronchoscopy (RB) remains the mainstay of management for retrieval of foreign bodies, however alternative methods can be adopted in special circumstances. Occurrence of massive surgical emphysema and pneumomediastinum is one of the rare complications in patients with foreign body inhalation which can be managed conservatively.