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Case Reports
. 2021 May 12:66:102391.
doi: 10.1016/j.amsu.2021.102391. eCollection 2021 Jun.

Asymptomatic fixed partial denture aspiration: A case report

Sahem Gharaibeh  1 , Shadi Hamouri  2 , Sarah Al Sharie  1 , Fadi Haddad  1 , Mohammad Araydah  1
Affiliations
Case Reports

Asymptomatic fixed partial denture aspiration: A case report

Sahem Gharaibeh et al. Ann Med Surg (Lond). .

Abstract

Introduction and importance: Foreign body aspiration (FBA) is more frequently presented in children and considered a rare presentation in adults. One of the most common causes of FBA in adults are orthodontic appliances.

Case presentation: We present a case of a 70-year-old male with an accidently discovered fixed partial denture (bridge) in the right mainstem bronchus. The partial denture was removed successfully by flexible bronchoscopy.

Clinical discussion: FBA is an event that most frequently occurs with children, and rarely with adults having various risk factors and complications on patients.

Conclusion: This study aims to spotlight the danger of asymptomatic FBA and how retrieving sharp objects can be managed by flexible bronchoscopy thus leading to better management and increased awareness of such cases.

Keywords: Bronchoscopy; Chronic cough; Denture; Foreign body aspiration.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors report no conflict of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
A Posterior Anterior (PA) chest X-ray showing a diffuse bilateral patchy infiltrate, more dominant peripherally.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
(A) Coronal and (B) axial chest CT scan showing multiple areas of peripherally predominant ground glass opacities with interlobar septal thickening and atelectatic bands seen in both lung fields, findings are concerning for fibrotic lung changes more prominent in both upper lung lobes in addition to an evidence of hyperdense foreign body seen in the right main bronchus and bronchus intermedius with surrounding metallic artifact, measuring about 4.2 cm in length. (black arrow).
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
(A) Pre-operative bronchoscopic view of the right main bronchus showing the aspirated denture (black arrow), (B) Post-operative bronchoscopic view of the right main bronchus.
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
A post-operative gross view of the aspirated denture with a size of 4.2cm in addition to the metal dental post that assessed its removal.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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