Tuberc Respir Dis.  1986 Mar;33(1):67-71. 10.4046/trd.1986.33.1.67.

Chronic Obstructive Pneumonitis

• KMID: 2528717
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4046/trd.1986.33.1.67

Abstract

Foreign body aspiration in adult commonly result in proximal airway obstruction and acute life threating asphyxia. Often asymptomatic initially and result in respiratory symptoms for weeks to years before diagnosis. Less well recognized, however, is the occurance of minimally to virtually asymptomatic aspiration with long term sequelae. Proper diagnosis may be particularly delayed after aspiration of a radiolucent foreign body when initial examination result and chest roentgenogram are normal. A latent period lasting days to years may then occur, during which the patient has minimal, if any, respiratory symptoms. The diagnosis may be suspected when the patient complains of persistent cough or experiences slowly resolving or recurrent segmental pneumonia. We describe a patient who developed clinically important pulmonary sequelae after unrecognized foreign-body aspiration.