Challenging Tracheobronchial Foreign Body

Aspirated foreign bodies present challenges to otolaryngologists. The major issues involve the accurate diagnosis and safe retrieval of the foreign body. The accurate diagnosis might be difficult because the initial choking incidents are not witnessed and the symptoms may mimic other common conditions. The author wishes to share our experience of managing an interesting case of 2.5 year-old-girl who did not have any history of chocking at all and had persistent cough and fever for one month. She has been treated as chest infection with no improvement for three weeks. Plain x-ray was done later and a 10 cm nail was detected in the trachea and the right main bronchus. The nail was removed using the rigid bronchoscopy. We discuss the clinical presentation, diagnosis and treatment as well as a review of the literature.