Imaging for diagnosis of foreign body aspiration in children?

Foreign body aspiration into the airways is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in pediatric patients, especially in children below 3 years of age. In the absence of clear history, the correct diagnosis is often missed. The clinical features may mimic asthma or pneumonia, resulting in delayed diagnosis. Cough or wheezing of sudden onset, reduced air entry on auscultation, and chronic or recurrent pulmonary infection are the subtle pointers which prompt an observant clinician to suspect foreign body aspiration. A foreign body lodged in the tracheo-bronchial tree warrants prompt removal to prevent serious respiratory complications as pneumonia, atelectasis, bronchiectasis and lung abscess [1].