A case of obstructive pneumonia due to fish vertebrae aspirated into both bronchi

Choi, Eugene; Hwang, Wonmin; Na, Moonjun; Lee, Wonyoung

Abstract

Foreign body aspiration occurs rarely in adults. Aspiration of foreign bodies into tracheobronchial tree commonly occurs by accident, and in most cases they get removed without delay. Sometimes, however, small foreign bodies that lodge in the peripheral airway are often asymptomatic initially and become symptomatic several years later. In these cases, unless a clear history of an aspiration event is obtained, it is difficult to even consider the aspiration as a cause of pneumonia. Foreign bodies were most frequently located in right lower lobe and usually aspirated unilaterally. A review of recent literature reveals only a few case reports of unilaterally aspirated foreign body in adults. We are reporting an adult case of obstructive pneumonia due to foreign bodies (fish vertebrae) aspirated into both bronchi at least 5 month prior to his hospitalization into our institute. Removal of the endobronchial foreign bodies was successfully accomplished by flexible bronchoscopy. The patient did not experience any complication and the pneumonia was completely resolved after removal of foreign bodies.