Accidental foreign body aspiration (seamstress needle)

Case contributed by Domenico Nicoletti , 20 May 2020
Diagnosis certain
Changed by Mostafa Elfeky, 23 May 2020

Updates to Case Attributes

Age changed from 30 to 30 years.
Body was changed:

Aspiration of foreign bodies from the airways is diagnosed in the early stages because it causes symptoms such as dyspnea, wheezing, coughing and screeching as in this patient. In some cases the diagnosis can be difficult due to the absence of typical symptoms or if the foreign body is not radiopaque. CT is the first imaging modality to better study an aspirated foreign body in the bronchial tree. Associated findings on CT can be volume loss, bleeding, hyperlucency with air trapping in the affected lobe.

  • -<p>Aspiration of foreign bodies from the airways is diagnosed in the early stages because it causes symptoms such as dyspnea, wheezing, coughing and screeching as in this patient. In some cases the diagnosis can be difficult due to the absence of typical symptoms or if the foreign body is not radiopaque. CT is the first imaging modality to better study an aspirated foreign body in the bronchial tree. Associated findings on CT can be volume loss, bleeding, hyperlucency with air trapping in the affected lobe.</p><p> </p>
  • +<p>Aspiration of foreign bodies from the airways is diagnosed in the early stages because it causes symptoms such as dyspnea, wheezing, coughing and screeching as in this patient. In some cases the diagnosis can be difficult due to the absence of typical symptoms or if the foreign body is not radiopaque. CT is the first imaging modality to better study an aspirated foreign body in the bronchial tree. Associated findings on CT can be volume loss, bleeding, hyperlucency with air trapping in the affected lobe.</p>

Updates to Study Attributes

Caption was added:
Chest and abdomen
Findings was changed:

Rx chest and abdomen

In the anterior basal segment of the left lower lobe there is a needle. Pneumothorax is not detectable.

Updates to Study Attributes

Caption was added:
Chest
Findings was changed:

CT chest

Needle in an anterior segmental bronchus of the left lower lobar bronchus.Tracheal. A tracheal diverticulum is present as an accidental discovery.

Images Changes:

Image CT (lung window) ( update )

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Image CT (lung window) ( update )

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Image CT (lung window) ( update )

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Image CT (lung window) ( update )

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Updates to Study Attributes

Findings was changed:

Surgical therapy

Resection anterior basal segment of the left lower lobe.

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