UNUSUAL FOREIGN BODY IN THE RESPIRATORY TRACT OF CHILDREN

Abstract

Objective: By "foreign bodies" should be understood all objects of external or internal origin that may block partially or completely the lumen of some parts of the respiratory system - nasal passages, larynx, trachea, bronchi. Most often foreign bodies in the respiratory tract occur in children under 4 y.о. They represent 80% of cases. Twice as often in boys. In 65% of cases, foreign bodies are food particles. 50% of them are accounted for: peanuts, walnuts, hazelnuts, chickpeas, and sunflower seeds. Methods: The author demonstrates a case of an unusual foreign body in the upper airway in a 2 y.o. child. He presented at ENT Clinic in the University Hospital of Stara Zagora with sudden paroxysms of coughing and difficulty swallowing, which started during hugging his mom. Results: It was performed an X-ray examination and visualized an object with a metal consistency that corresponded to a safety pin. Immediately was realized pediatric and anesthesiologist consultation and the patient was taken to the operating theatre and under general anesthesia, the foreign body was removed. Conclusions: Aspiration of foreign bodies in the airways is accompanied by dramatic moments and often fatal and it is still a serious problem in Otorhinolaryngological and pediatric practice. This imposes the serious need to strengthen preventive actions in this direction by increasing the consumer culture of the people.