An unusual foreign body in tracheobronchial tree: A case report
Abstract
Foreign body (FB) in tracheobronchial tree is a serious and potentially fatal condition in all age groups. Early diagnosis and removal are imperative to prevent mortality as well as complications.
A 45 year old heroine (diamorphine) addict was brought to the emergency department in a gasping state, with a history of substance abuse. The patient was intubated with Portex® cuffed endotracheal tube No. 8 and was shifted to intensive care unit for ventilation. Follow up x-ray chest revealed a metallic wire like FB in the bronchus. In the operating room, rigid bronchoscopy under general anesthesia failed to remove FB. Fibreoptic bronchoscope revealed an intubation stylet below carina. Subsequent attempts were unsuccessful so tracheostomy was done and the stylet was removed through tracheal stoma under fibreoptic visualization. The ventilation strategies used being ventilating bronchoscope, intermittent mask ventilation and intubation twice.