Complications

Complication
Timeframe
Likelihood
short term
low

Asphyxia following aspiration of a foreign object is a common cause of accidental death, particularly in children <1 year of age.[79]

short term
low

A rare acute finding seen on chest x-ray in about 3% of patients with an aspirated foreign body.[37]

short term
low

Between 2% and 4% of patients requiring rigid bronchoscopy for foreign body extraction develop laryngeal oedema that requires brief intubation and admission to intensive care.[14] Tracheostomy is sometimes needed for this complication.[24]

short term
low

Less than 4% of children who require rigid bronchoscopy for foreign body extraction develop bronchospasm.[14]

long term
medium

Bronchiectasis diagnosed on chest CT is a late complication, and can be seen in about 30% of patients with an aspirated foreign body.[78] Occasionally, severe and recurrent infections can require thoracotomy and pulmonary resection.

Bronchiectasis

long term
low

Aspiration of iron- or potassium-chloride tablets can cause airway inflammation, resulting in fibrosis and bronchial strictures.[64] The chest physician must, therefore, have a high index of suspicion for airway stricture if the patient presents with recurrent pneumonia.[65]

long term
low

Foreign bodies that are present for more than a few days are often associated with the formation of granulation tissue. Treatments have varied from observation, to inhaled steroids, to argon plasma photocoagulation therapy.[80][81]

variable
high

Pneumonia is seen in about 20% of patients who present days or weeks after aspiration. Pneumonia may respond to antibiotics, but the infiltrates may not resolve completely and may recur.[37] The incidence of pneumonia may be higher with delayed presentation.

Overview of pneumonia

variable
high

Complete obstruction by the foreign body or associated mucoid secretions and granulation tissue can cause atelectasis, which is seen in about 20% of patients on chest x-ray and about 60% of patients on chest CT scan.[4]

Use of this content is subject to our disclaimer