Work

The Diagnostic Challenge of Sharp Foreign Body Aspiration in Children: A Two‐Case Series Highlighting Ingestion vs. Aspiration

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Foreign body aspiration (FBA) is a common pediatric emergency. Sharp objects, such as pins, pose a unique risk of perforation and migration. Differentiating aspiration from ingestion can be challenging when symptoms and radiological findings overlap, particularly for objects lodged in the mediastinum-a "mediastinal dilemma." We present two cases of sharp FBA in school-aged children. Case 1: A 10-year-old girl presented with acute chest pain after inhaling a headscarf pin. Chest X-ray showed a mediastinal radio-opaque shadow, creating a diagnostic dilemma. Sequential endoscopy (negative esophagoscopy followed by rigid bronchoscopy) confirmed and removed the pin from the left main bronchus. Case 2: A 14-year-old boy presented with delayed hemoptysis 2 months after aspirating a sewing needle. Initial rigid bronchoscopy was unsuccessful, necessitating flexible bronchoscopy for retrieval from the peripheral left upper lobe. These cases highlight that sharp FBA can occur in older children and may present with atypical, delayed symptoms. The mediastinal location on radiography often blurs the line between aspiration and ingestion. A high index of suspicion is paramount. The choice of endoscopic technique (rigid vs. flexible) must be tailored to the foreign body's location and nature. This series underscores the need for heightened awareness of this preventable hazard, particularly regarding the risk of holding objects between the lips.

Source: Clinical Case Reports

DOI: 10.1002/ccr3.71844

Authors: Seyed Javad Seyedi, Ahmad Mohammadipour, Amin Saeidinia

Institution: Mashhad University of Medical Sciences

Language: English

Topic: Foreign Body Medical Cases

Subfield: Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Imaging

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,820