[Diagnostic problems with foreign-body aspirations in childhood]

Abstract

Diagnosing aspiration of foreign bodies in children still causes a great deal of difficulties, especially as the anamnesis is not always dependable and the aspiration has often not been noticed. This is why it sometimes takes months before the foreign bodies are discovered and removed. Quite often a child is treated over a long period for bronchitis which is actually caused by a foreign body. This report is based on experience with 33 children between 8 months and 15 years, who aspirated foreign bodies and were treated by bronchoscopy. The diagnostic difficulties are described with special emphasis on radiodiagnosis.