Foreign body aspiration associated with the use of an aerosol inhaler

Abstract

A 51-yr-old asthmatic carpenter aspirated a penny using a hand-held, self-pressurized aerosol device. The penny was extracted using a fiberoptic bronchoscope. Because no similar instances are reported in the medical literature, experimental systems were designed to test the likelihood of this event happening with a variety of nebulizers. Nickels , dimes , and pennies were tested for ejection potential and for aspiration likelihood. All inhalers, excepting that designed for Intal, were capable of accommodating dimes and pennies and ejecting them down simulated airways during inspiration. Nickels were accommodated by several inhalers but were not ejected during conventional inspiratory volumes and pressures.