Long-standing intrabronchial foreign bodies.

The long-standing intrabronchial foreign body presents problems of diagnosis and treatment which are very different from those associated with the recently inhaled foreign body. There may be no history to suggest the original incident; the clinical picture is usually clouded by superadded pathological changes-atelectasis, pneumonitis, bronchiectasis, or lung abscess-and the bronchoscopic appearances are often misleading. Even when correctly diagnosed, the choice of treatment is not always easy. Sixteen such cases are presented in an attempt to find common characteristics, recognition of which may assist correct diagnosis in this not uncommon condition. In addition, the problems of treatment are considered.