Occult aspiration of a chicken wishbone as a cause of hemoptysis

ABSTRACT

Aspiration of foreign bodies is more common in children than adults. The clinical and radiological findings between these two age groups are different. It is a clinical diagnosis often overlooked in adults. We hereby present an elderly male patient who was referred to us due to a one year history of hemoptysis. He was heavy smoker, so the initial working diagnosis was malignancy. Upon bronchoscopic evaluation, a foreign object was found which is very uncommon in adults. The unusual location of the aspirated material is another interesting feature of our case. Clinicians should be aware that aspiration of foreign objects may occur also in adults