Fractured Metallic Tracheostomy Tube: A Rare Presentation of Bronchial Foreign Body.

BACKGROUND: Tracheostomy is an important life-saving surgical procedure that could be used to secure the lower airway. It can however serve as a source of airway compromise when fragments from it are deposited. This condition must be diagnosed early enough, and appropriate intervention should be done to forestall potential morbidity and mortality. CASE REPORT: A 56-year-old tracheostomized patient presented to the accident and emergency department with a 4-hour history of sudden onset choking cough and labored breathing. The shaft of his tracheostomy tube (TT) was fractured and subsequently aspirated while he was attempting to remove and clean the inner tube that morning. He has used the TT for about 6 years and lost to follow-up clinic visits. The chest radiograph showed the metallic foreign body lodged within the trachea. He had an emergency rigid bronchoscopy via the tracheostomy stoma, and the object was retrieved. All respiratory symptoms subsequently resolved, and a check radiograph showed normal findings. CONCLUSION: Tracheostomy tube fracture and aspiration should be ruled out in every tracheostomized patient with sudden onset acute respiratory symptoms. Otolaryngologists must always emphasize the need for proper handling of TT, regular follow-up, and tube replacement when due.

[Pyogenic hepatic abscess secondary to gastric perforation by a foreign body complicated by acute peritonitis: about a case at the Hôpital Principal de Dakar, Senegal]. / Abcès hépatiques à pyogènes secondaires à une perforation gastrique par un corps étranger compliquée de péritonite aiguë : à propos d'un cas à l'Hôpital Principal de Dakar, Sénégal.

Accidental ingestion of a foreign body into the gastrointestinal tract is not uncommon, however the development of hepatic abscesses secondary to digestive perforation by a foreign body is rare. We report the case of pyogenic hepatic abscesses secondary to gastric perforation by a fishbone complicated by acute peritonitis. A 53-year-old patient was admitted to our hospital with the main complaints: diffuse abdominal pain with vomiting in a context of fever and physical asthenia. A painful febrile hepatomegaly with jaundice was objectified, as well as a non-specific biological inflammatory syndrome. An initial abdominopelvic CT scan revealed multifocal liver abscesses. Faced with the initial therapeutic failure associating parenteral antibiotic therapy and abscess drainage, a second abdominal CT scan identified a foreign body straddling the antropyloric wall and segment I of the liver.A xypho-pelvic midline laparotomy was performed with nearly 200 cc of peritoneal fluid coming out. A fishbone approximately 5 cm long was extracted by laparotomy, followed by gastric closure with omentum, peritoneal cleansing and drainage. Symptomatic adjuvant treatment was initiated, including a proton pump inhibitor (Pantoprazole). He also benefited from transfusion support in the face of anemia. Antibiotic therapy was continued for a total of 2 weeks after surgery. The evolution was favorable with follow-up imaging at 3 months, showing complete resorption of the hepatic abscesses.

Hypoxaemia risk in pediatric flexible bronchoscopy for foreign body removal: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Hypoxemia represents the most prevalent adverse event during flexible bronchoscopy procedures aimed at foreign body retrieval in pediatric patients; if not expeditiously managed, it carries the potential for cardiac or respiratory arrest. The specific risk factors contributing to the occurrence of hypoxemia during foreign body FB removal via bronchoscopy have yet to be definitively established. METHODS: This retrospective study included a cohort of 266 pediatric subjects from January 1, 2015, to December 31, 2022, who underwent flexible bronchoscopy for the purpose of FB extraction. In this cohort, the supraglottic airway was used to connect the anesthesia apparatus during the removal procedure. RESULTS: In total, 45 of the pediatric patients (16.9%) experienced episodes of hypoxemia during the FB removal procedure. Multivariate analysis revealed that the following factors were significantly associated with the occurrence of hypoxemia: an operation time exceeding 60 min (odds ratio [OR] 8.55; 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.82-19.13), a maximum diameter exceeding 7 mm (OR 5.03; 95% CI, 2.24-11.29), and the presence of radiological evidence indicating pneumonia (OR 2.69; 95% CI, 1.27-5.69). CONCLUSION: During flexible bronchoscopy procedures aimed at FB removal in pediatric patients, there is an increased susceptibility to hypoxemia. Factors including extended operation duration, larger FB dimensions, and radiographic evidence suggestive of pneumonia significantly contribute to a heightened risk of hypoxemia.

Unveiling a foreign body masquerading as periarticular calcification: a case report.

INTRODUCTION: Evaluating isolated extremity discomfort can be challenging when initial imaging and exams provide limited information. Though subtle patient history hints often underlie occult pathologies, benign symptoms are frequently miscategorized as idiopathic. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a case of retained glass obscuring as acute calcific periarthritis on imaging. A 48-year-old White male with vague fifth metacarpophalangeal joint pain had unrevealing exams, but radiographs showed periarticular calcification concerning inflammation. Surgical exploration unexpectedly revealed an encapsulated glass fragment eroding bone. Further history uncovered a forgotten glass laceration decade prior. The foreign body was removed, resolving symptoms. DISCUSSION: This case reveals two imperative diagnostic principles for nonspecific extremity pain: (1) advanced imaging lacks specificity to differentiate inflammatory arthropathies from alternate intra-articular processes such as foreign bodies, and (2) obscure patient history questions unearth causal subtleties that direct accurate diagnosis. Though initial scans suggested acute calcific periarthritis, exhaustive revisiting of the patient's subtle decade-old glass cut proved pivotal in illuminating the underlying driver of symptoms. CONCLUSION: Our findings underscore the critical limitations of imaging and the vital role that meticulous history-taking plays in clarifying ambiguous chronic limb presentations. They spotlight the imperative of probing even distant trauma when symptoms seem disconnected from causative events. This case reinforces the comprehensive evaluation of all subtle patient clues as key in illuminating elusive extremity pain etiologies.

Etiology, pathogenesis, and management of angiosarcoma associated with implants and foreign body: Clinical cases and research updates.

Angiosarcomas are rare and highly malignant soft tissue sarcomas originating from endothelial cells lining the lymphatic or vascular system. While they predominantly emerge from (sub)cutaneous regions, occurrences have been reported throughout the body. The etiology of angiosarcoma remains elusive in most clinical cases. Nevertheless, several prognosis risk factors play a pivotal role, including chronic lymphedema, therapeutic irradiation, environmental carcinogens, familial syndromes, and the presence of foreign materials like metallic objects and biomedical implants. Despite evidence implicating retained foreign material in angiosarcoma development, understanding its prognosis and pathogenesis remains limited. The pathogenesis of angiosarcoma appears to involve a complex interplay of chronic inflammation, tissue remodeling, and genetic factors that create a conducive microenvironment for malignant transformation. Management of these sarcomas remains challenging due to their infiltrative nature owing to the high chance of metastasis and local recurrence. The primary treatment modalities currently include surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, but recent advances in targeted immunotherapy and gene therapy hold promise for more effective approaches. This comprehensive review delves into the potential etiological and pathogenic roles of foreign materials, such as metallic objects, biomedical implants, and biomaterials, in the development of angiosarcoma. Further research into the underlying molecular mechanisms could provide valuable insights for tailored management and developing novel targeted therapeutic strategies.

Fibrosis of the Intestines in Response to Foreign Objects: A Case Report.

Foreign body ingestion of sharp objects can be a striking feature of psychological dysfunction with high morbidity and mortality. While the phenomenon has been reported on, primarily from a psychiatric perspective, this report will present the effects of this behavior on the intestinal system from a pathology perspective. The report is of a 43-year-old female with a past medical history of foreign object ingestion, borderline personality disorder, depression, anxiety, and prior suicidality who passed away due to bowel obstruction. Review of her history revealed an eighteen-year history of repeated foreign body ingestion with multiple surgical interventions. A particularly remarkable aspect revealed through the surgical history is the nature of the complications. They begin in 2008 with bowel perforation due to a blunt object and continue to present with perforation in the early years but show a gradual change to adhesions and obstruction as the primary concern. Her final presentation to the hospital and cause of death was due to obstruction, not perforation, even though the foreign bodies were six knives. While this case is not the only known report of foreign body ingestion, the extensive timeline and frequency allow for an examination of the gradual progression of fibrosis and adhesions within the intestines and abdominal wall, which led to the obstruction and death despite being a protective factor against further perforation.This case was presented at the annual Association of Clinical Scientists meeting (April 2-4, Jacksonville, FL).

Chronic jejuno-colonic fistula and intestinal malabsorption due to multiple magnet ingestions: A case report and systematic review.

Magnet ingestion in children can lead to serious complications, both acutely and chronically. This case report discusses the treatment approach for a case involving multiple magnet ingestions, which resulted in a jejuno-colonic fistula, segmental intestinal volvulus, hepa-tosteatosis, and renal calculus detected at a late stage. Additionally, we conducted a literature review to explore the characteristics of intestinal fistulas caused by magnet ingestion. A six-year-old girl was admitted to the Pediatric Gastroenterology Department pre-senting with intermittent abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea persisting for two years. Initial differential diagnoses included celiac disease, cystic fibrosis, inflammatory bowel disease, and tuberculosis, yet the etiology remained elusive. The Pediatric Surgery team was consulted after a jejuno-colonic fistula was suspected based on magnetic resonance imaging findings. The physical examination revealed no signs of acute abdomen but showed mild abdominal distension. Subsequent upper gastrointestinal series and contrast enema graphy confirmed a jejuno-colonic fistula and segmental volvulus. The family later reported that the child had swallowed a magnet two years prior, and medical follow-up had stopped after the spontaneous expulsion of the magnets within one to two weeks. Surgical intervention was necessary to correct the volvulus and repair the large jejuno-colonic fistula. To identify relevant studies, we conducted a detailed literature search on magnet ingestion and gastrointestinal fistulas according to the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. We identified 44 articles encompassing 55 cases where symptoms did not manifest in the acute phase and acute abdomen was not observed. In 29 cases, the time of magnet ingestion was unknown. Among the 26 cases with a known ingestion time, the average duration until fistula detection was 22.8 days (range: 1-90 days). Fistula repairs were performed via laparotomy in 47 cases.

Chronic stridor in a toddler after ingestion of a discharged button battery: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Button battery (BB) ingestions (BBI) are increasingly prevalent in children and constitute a significant, potentially life-threatening health hazard, and thus a pediatric emergency. Ingested BBs are usually charged and can cause severe symptom within 2 h. Discharged BBs ingestion is very rare and protracted symptom trajectories complicate diagnosis. Timely imaging is all the more important. Discharged BBs pose specific hazards, such as impaction, and necessitate additional interventions. CASE PRESENTATION: We present the case of a previously healthy 19-month-old girl who was admitted to our pediatric university clinic in Germany for assessment of a three-month history of intermittent, mainly inspiratory stridor, snoring and feeding problems (swallowing, crying at the sight of food). The child's physical examination and vital signs were normal. Common infectious causes, such as bronchitis, were ruled out by normal lab results including normal infection parameters, negative serology for common respiratory viruses, and normal blood gas analysis, the absence of fever or pathological auscultation findings. The patient's history contained no evidence of an ingestion or aspiration event, no other red flags (e.g., traveling, contact to TBC). Considering this and with bronchoscopy being the gold standard for foreign body (FB) detection, an x-ray was initially deferred. A diagnostic bronchoscopy, performed to check for airway pathologies, revealed normal mucosal and anatomic findings, but a non-pulsatile bulge in the trachea. Subsequent esophagoscopy showed an undefined FB, lodged in the upper third of the otherwise intact esophagus. The FB was identified as a BB by a chest X-ray. Retrieval of the battery proved extremely difficult due to its wedged position and prolonged ingestion and required a two-stage procedure with consultation of Ear Nose Throat colleagues. Recurring stenosis and regurgitation required one-time esophageal bougienage during follow-up examinations. Since then, the child has been asymptomatic in the biannual endoscopic controls and is thriving satisfactorily. CONCLUSION: This case describes the rare and unusual case of a long-term ingested, discharged BB. It underscores the need for heightened vigilance among healthcare providers regarding the potential hazards posed by discharged BBIs in otherwise healthy children with newly, unexplained stridor and feeding problems. This case emphasizes the critical role of early diagnostic imaging and interdisciplinary interventions in ensuring timely management and preventing long-term complications associated even to discharged BBs.

Gastric perforation after polyurethane foam ingestion.

INTRODUCTION: Acute intoxication rarely produces conditions that require urgent surgical care. CASE SUMMARY: A 45-year-old man presented to the emergency department with severe abdominal pain after the deliberate ingestion of 200 cm3 of polyurethane mixed with methylene diphenyl diisocyanate and urethane primers. On an initial laparoscopic examination, foreign material was observed in the peritoneal space with haemoperitoneum. Emergency exploration was then undertaken for suspected gastric perforation. Full-thickness damage was identified on the stomach wall during the operation. The material in the gastrointestinal tract and peritoneal space was gently removed. Moulded casts of the entire stomach and distal oesophagus were extracted successfully. The patient was discharged 14 days after surgery. IMAGES: Computed tomography revealed foreign material occupying the entire gastric chamber, as well as diffuse gastric perforation. CONCLUSIONS: Life-threatening gastric perforation can occur after polyurethane foam ingestion. Clinical/medical toxicologists and emergency physicians need to be aware of the highly expandable nature of this agent.

Unintentional Plastic Blister Ingestion Leading to Intestinal Perforation: A Report of Two Cases.

BACKGROUND Unintentional medication-blister ingestion is rare but frequently leads to intestinal perforation. The diagnosis of intestinal perforation following blister ingestion is often delayed because of an unreliable history and nonspecific clinical presentation. The purpose of this case report is to raise awareness about a rare but difficult diagnosis and its importance in avoiding potentially fatal events. CASE REPORT Herein, we describe successful cases of surgical and endoscopic removal after blister ingestion. The first case was that of a polymorbid 75-year-old man who presented with acute onset of abdominal pain in the right upper quadrant and epigastric regions. No indication of the cause was observed on initial computed tomography (CT). The patient developed an acute abdomen, and emergency laparotomy was performed, during which 2 small perforations were observed in the terminal ileum, and an empty tablet blister was retrieved. The second patient was a 55-year-old man who presented with a considerable lack of awareness. On the initial CT, a subdural hematoma, aspiration, and an unidentified foreign body in the stomach were observed. Gastroscopy was performed after emergency craniotomy. In addition to the initial foreign body, a second object, which had gone unnoticed on the initial CT, was found and removed from the esophagus. CONCLUSIONS With an increased risk of perforation and difficult clinical and radiological diagnoses, prophylactic measures and special awareness of high-risk patients are particularly important.

Navigating the complexity of spinal cord injuries with retained foreign bodies and the diagnostic challenge of lead toxicity-a case reportaaa.

INTRODUCTION: Retained shrapnel from gunshots is a common occurrence; however, retained shrapnel within the spinal canal is exceedingly uncommon. Guidelines for removal and treatment of these cases are a difficult topic, as surgical removal is not necessarily without consequence, and retention can lead to possible further injury or a secondary disease process of plumbism, which can be difficult to diagnose in this population. CASE PRESENTATION: This case report provides a unique example of a young patient with retained shrapnel from a gunshot. This patient suffered an initial spinal cord injury due to a gunshot and secondarily presented with abdominal pain, fatigue, elevated blood lead levels, and was diagnosed with plumbism. This was addressed with operative removal of shrapnel and posterior instrumented spinal fusion, resulting in decreased lead levels and symptom resolution postoperatively. DISCUSSION: Lead toxicity risk in patients with retained shrapnel, particularly in the spine, warrants vigilant monitoring. While management guidelines lack consensus, symptomatic lead toxicity may necessitate intervention. Residual neurological deficits complicate evaluation, emphasizing individualized management decisions.

Complicated penetrating foreign body neck injury.

Penetrating neck injury is associated with significant morbidity due to the several structures (neurological, vascular and aerodigestive) within close proximity to one another. This case highlights an uncommon presentation of an embedded foreign body following penetrating neck trauma and the decision-making required during management.

The effects of bystander interventions for foreign body airway obstruction on survival and neurological outcomes: Findings of the MOCHI registry.

INTRODUCTION: Foreign body airway obstruction (FBAO) is a life-threatening condition. We aimed to quantify the impact of bystander FBAO interventions on survival and neurological outcomes. METHODS: We conducted a Japan-wide prospective, multi-center, observational study including all FBAO patients who presented to the Emergency Department from April 2020 to March 2023. Information on bystander FBAO interventions was collected through interviews with emergency medical services personnel. Primary outcomes included 1-month survival and favorable neurologic outcome defined as Cerebral Performance Category 1 or 2. We performed a multivariable logistic regression and a Cox proportional hazards modeling to adjust for confounders. RESULTS: We analyzed a total of 407 patients in the registry who had the median age of 82 years old (IQR 73-88). The FBAO incidents were often witnessed (86.5%, n = 352/407) and the witnesses intervened in just over half of the cases (54.5%, n = 192/352). The incidents frequently occurred at home (54.3%, n = 221/407) and nursing home (21.6%, n = 88/407). Common first interventions included suction (24.8%, n = 101/407) and back blow (20.9%, n = 85/407). The overall success rate of bystander interventions was 48.4% (n = 93/192). About half (48.2%, n = 196/407) survived to 1-month and 23.8% patients (n = 97/407) had a favorable neurological outcome. Adjusting for pre-specified confounders, bystander interventions were independently associated with survival (hazard ratio, 0.55; 95% CI, 0.39-0.77) and a favorable neurological outcome (adjusted OR, 2.18; 95% CI, 1.23-3.95). CONCLUSION: Bystander interventions were independently associated with survival and favorable neurological outcome, however, they were performed only in the half of patients.

Evaluation of early ocular discomfort after glaucoma surgery: trabeculectomy versus Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation.

PURPOSE: This study aims to compare the initial ocular discomfort symptoms resulting from trabeculectomy and Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation surgeries. METHODS: A prospective comparative study was conducted. The evaluation of ocular discomfort employed a questionnaire designed to identify the frequency and severity of distinct symptoms: ocular pain, general discomfort, tearing, foreign body sensation, and burning. This questionnaire was administered prior to surgery as a baseline, and subsequently at 7, 30, and 90 days post-surgery. Simultaneously, the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) was applied at these same time intervals. RESULTS: The study encompassed a total of 17 patients (9 undergoing trabeculectomy and 8 undergoing Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation). The Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation group exhibited higher tearing levels at baseline (p=0.038). However, no statistically significant differences in symptoms were observed between the two surgeries at 7 and 30 days post-surgery. At the 90-day mark following surgery, patients who had undergone trabeculectomy reported a significantly higher foreign body sensation (p=0.004). Although OSDI scores did not differ between groups at baseline, the trabeculectomy group showed significantly higher OSDI scores than the Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation group at 7, 30, and 90 days after surgery (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Post-surgery, patients who had undergone trabeculectomy experienced increased foreign body sensation. Trabeculectomy appears to cause greater early postoperative ocular discomfort compared to the Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation group.

Factors associated with foreign body infection in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia.

Background: We aimed to compare patient characteristics, MRSA sequence types, and biofilm production of MRSA strains that did and did not cause a foreign body infection in patients with MRSA bloodstream infections (BSI). Methods: All adult patients with MRSA BSI hospitalized in two hospitals were identified by clinical microbiology laboratory surveillance. Only patients who had at least one implanted foreign body during the episode of BSI were included. Results: In July 2018 - March 2022, of 423 patients identified with MRSA BSI, 118 (28%) had ≥1 foreign body. Among them, 51 (43%) had one or more foreign body infections. In multivariable analysis, factors associated with foreign body infection were history of MRSA infection in the last year (OR=4.7 [1.4-15.5], p=0.012) community-associated BSI (OR=68.1 [4.2-1114.3], p=0.003); surgical site infection as source of infection (OR=11.8 [2-70.4], p=0.007); presence of more than one foreign body (OR=3.4 [1.1-10.7], p=0.033); interval between foreign body implantation and infection <18 months (OR=3.3 [1.1-10], p=0.031); and positive blood culture ≥48h (OR=16.7 [4.3-65.7], p<0.001). The most prevalent sequence type was ST8 (39%), followed by ST5 (29%), and ST105 (20%) with no significant difference between patients with or without foreign body infection. Only 39% of MRSA isolates formed a moderate/strong biofilm. No significant difference was observed between patients with foreign body infection and those without foreign body infection. In multivariable analysis, subjects infected with a MRSA isolate producing moderate/strong in vitro biofilm were more likely to have a history of MRSA infection in the last year (OR=3.41 [1.23-9.43]), interval between foreign body implantation and MRSA BSI <18 months (OR=3.1 [1.05-9.2]) and ST8 (OR=10.64 [2-57.3]). Conclusion: Most factors associated with foreign body infection in MRSA BSI were also characteristic of persistent infections. Biofilm-forming isolates were not associated with a higher risk of foreign-body infection but appeared to be associated with MRSA genetic lineage, especially ST8.

Value of multiplanar reconstruction in multi-slice computed tomography for the detection of foreign body in the pulmonary artery: a case report.

Multi-slice computed tomography (MSCT) is the primary method for the detection and visualization of foreign bodies in the pulmonary artery because it provides high sensitivity and accuracy. It is very difficult to diagnose a patient with a non-iatrogenic pulmonary artery foreign body who does not have a history of a penetrating trauma. This case report describes a 36-year-old male that presented with coughing and haemoptysis. Based on conventional coronal and cross-sectional CT, the foreign body was misdiagnosed as pulmonary tuberculosis and pulmonary artery thrombosis. During treatment of the bronchial artery embolization and anti-tuberculosis therapy, the patient continued to experience haemoptysis. After further analysis of the pulmonary artery CT angiography images and curved multiplane reconstruction, an approximately 6-cm long toothpick was identified in the pulmonary artery with an unclear entry route. After surgery to remove the toothpick, symptoms of coughing and haemoptysis were resolved. This current case demonstrated that multiplane reconstruction in MSCT can improve the detection and visualization of pulmonary artery foreign bodies, which can aid in the diagnosis of pulmonary artery diseases of unknown cause.