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Paediatric aerodigestive foreign bodies: remember the nasopharynx

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 April 2010

S D MacNeil ,
J P Moxham  and
F K Kozak
S D MacNeil
Affiliation:
Division of Otolaryngology, Department of Surgery, University of British Columbia, Canada
J P Moxham*
Affiliation:
Division of Pediatric Otolaryngology, University of British Columbia, BC Children's Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
F K Kozak
Affiliation:
Division of Pediatric Otolaryngology, University of British Columbia, BC Children's Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
*
Address for correspondence: J Paul Moxham, Clinical Associate Professor, Division of Pediatric Otolaryngology, University of British Columbia, BC Children's Hospital, B321-4480 Oak St, Vancouver, BC V6H 3V4, Canada. Fax: +1 604 875 2498 E-mail: pmoxham@cw.bc.ca
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Abstract

Introduction:

Nasopharyngeal foreign bodies are relatively uncommon, compared with other aerodigestive sites. They may mimic a lower airway location, or may be coughed up into the nasopharynx prior to endoscopic evaluation.

Objective:

To describe our experience with nasopharyngeal foreign bodies mimicking a more distal airway location.

Method:

Case series from a tertiary referral children's hospital.

Results:

We present a series of four children who were initially thought to have a lower aerodigestive tract foreign body (three respiratory, one oesophageal), but who were finally diagnosed with nasopharyngeal foreign body. The concept of panendoscopy at all foreign body removals is suggested as a means to avoid a missed nasopharyngeal foreign body.

Conclusion:

Although nasopharyngeal foreign bodies are uncommon, their rare ability to mimic distal sites mandates a thorough endoscopic approach to ensure that all sites (i.e. larynx, lungs, oesophagus and nasopharynx) are evaluated endoscopically.

Keywords

Foreign BodyNasopharynxInhalation
Type
Clinical Records
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 124 , Issue 10 , October 2010 , pp. 1132 - 1135
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2010

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Footnotes

Presented as a poster at the ABEA (COSM) Combined Otolaryngology Society Meeting, 1–2 May 2008, Orlando, Florida, USA.

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