ABSTRACT
A case series descriptive study,was carried out from September 2007 to September 20010 at Paediatrics unit Sheikh Zayed Hospital, Rahim Yar Khan, Pakistan. The aim of the study was bronchoscopic evaluation of children suspicious of inhaled foreign body [FB] such as beetlenut, seeds, peanuts, tiny objects and fragments of tooth and presented with persistent cough. Fory [n-40] children [male and female] in age range of 1-3 years [toddlers] presented with persistent cough with no history of foreign body [FB] aspiration were included. The chronic persisting cough was defined as cough lasting for 30 days or >30 days as guided by WHO. They had bouts of cough mimicking pertussis and had clinical findings of decreased air entry with rales and rhonchi. Oxygen saturation was monitored by pulse oxymetry. X-rays chest were obtained. The pulmonary tuberculosis, pertussis and other chronic lung diseases were ruled out by history, clinical examination and investigations available in hospital laboratory. The cases with suspicion of FB inhalation were subjected to bronchoscopy. Rigid broncoscope was an essential tool for investigation and removal of FB in study. The data were processed in soft wear SPSS 16.Male: Female ratio was 2:1 and had height and weight above 10[th] percentile and vaccinated as per EPIschedule. The clinical examination of chest revealed dull or hyper resonant, decreased or no air entry with or without rales and rhonchi on the side of chest where FB lodged the lung. X-rays chest had no radio opaque FB, hyper inflation in cases 15 [n-15] and collapse in 10 cases [n-10] were the main findings. The clinical and radiological findings supported the empirical diagnosis of foreign body aspiration [FBA] and these children underwent rigid bronchoscopy. Bronchoscopically visualized FB were retrieved and the air ways were cleared of inflammatory debris and pus. The oxygen saturation retuned to normal and marked clinical improvement occurred soon after bronchoscopy. The commonest FB in our study was the beetle nut [Chalia/Supari]. The radiological changes were also seen after bronchoscopy. FBA should be considered in children presenting with persisting cough and after thorough clinical and radiological examination the suspected cases be evaluated by rigid bronchoscopy