ABSTRACT
Foreign body aspiration is primarily a disease of children under 3 years of age. Diagnosis depends on history, physical examination and radiological findings. Considering the possible complications of bronchoscopy and the absence of frank history in many cases evaluation of such cases, using recent modalities of computed tomography may help to establish a diagnosis in suspected cases. The objective of this study was to determine the value of using volume rendering technique in diagnosis of suspected cases of foreign body aspiration. Fifty infants and children suspected to have foreign body aspiration were included in the study, clinical presentations, X-ray and 3 D volume rendering technique [VRT] CT findings and results of bronchoscopic examination for the presence of foreign body were recorded. The study included; 24 males and 26 females with mean age of 2.74[1.6] years. Duration before presentation ranged from 3 to 60 days. A definite history of chocking was obtained from 74% of cases. X-ray way positive in 76% of cases, while CT showed foreign body in 44 cases [88%] and 6 [12%] were diagnosed as pneumonia. On performing rigid bronchoscopy; one case was found to be false negative and one case found to be false positive; giving VRT technique sensitivity of 97.9% and specificity 85.7% Localized hyperinflation and bronchial obstruction were the most common positive CT findings. On Bronchoscopic removal; 74% of foreign bodies were organic. Evaluation of foreign body aspiration of the airway in children can be accomplished by using a 3D volume rendering technique, computed tomography. It may be useful both in showing the exact location of a foreign body before bronchoscopy and in ruling out a foreign body in patients with a low level of suspicion and normal or nonspecific findings on chest radiography