Bronchoscopic Removal of a Long-standing Aspirated Iron Pill

J Bronchology Interv Pulmonol. 2017 Apr;24(2):163-165. doi: 10.1097/LBR.0000000000000252.

Abstract

While patients have been known to aspirate pills, they virtually never persist long enough to lead to complications. A spectrum of events, however, may arise especially from iron pill aspiration. If not identified and removed early, cytotoxic damage from local free-radical generation may result in airway damage. We report a case of an aspirated iron pill, which did not disintegrate and presented with chronic cough. Imaging revealed a foreign body in the right bronchus, and bronchoscopic removal allowed resolution of an associated pneumonia, without any further symptoms on subsequent surveillance.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Bronchoscopy / methods*
  • Female
  • Foreign Bodies / surgery*
  • Humans
  • Iron / adverse effects
  • Pneumonia / etiology*

Substances

  • Iron