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Background: Rigid bronchoscopy remains the gold standard in many countries to remove airway foreign bodies (FBs). We aimed to analyze the feasibility of airway FB removal in children, primarily by flexible bronchoscopy through a laryngeal mask., Methods: Between 2008 and 2013, 62 children with suspected airway FB who underwent flexible bronchoscopy were analyzed in a retrospective chart review at a tertiary university hospital with respect to clinical presentation and medical management., Results: In 28/62 children (45.2%) an airway FB could be found and in all patients removed by flexible bronchoscopy. Additional 19/34 children (55.8%), in which no FB was found, showed macroscopic evidence of prior FB aspiration. The most frequently removed airway FBs were nuts (13/28; 46.4%) followed by other organic airway FBs (9/28; 32.2%) and nonorganic airway FBs (6/28; 21.4%). All FBs were uneventfully removed with a grasping forceps (16/28; 57.1%), basket forceps (9/28; 32.2%), suction (2/28; 7.1%), or polypectomy snare (1/28; 3.6%). Children with proven airway FB were significantly younger than children without an airway FB (24 vs. 27 mo). Adjuvant antibiotic therapy was given in 15/28 (53.6%) children with proven airway FB and 13/34 (38.2%) without, steroids in 24/28 (85.7%) and 21/34 (61.8%), respectively. In 6/28 (9.7%) children epinephrine intrabronchial was used to mobilize the airway FB during bronchoscopy., Conclusion: In an optimized clinical setting, flexible bronchoscopy can be regarded as a feasible procedure to remove airway FB through a laryngeal mask. Short-term and long-term outcome is favorable.

Tracheobronchial foreign body aspiration is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. The incidence of foreign body aspiration decreases significantly with increasing age, resulting in atypical presentations in adults. A high index of suspicion is required in adults presenting with respiratory symptoms. We present a rare case of a foreign body (pill) aspiration in an elderly female mimicking an obstructing endobronchial lesion.

Capsule endoscopy is a novel tool for the diagnosis of small intestinal disorders. Recently, a new complication of the procedure in the form of the capsule's aspiration into the lungs has been reported. The aspiration of capsule endoscope can lead to a variety of complications including respiratory failure. A low threshold to suspect this complication and urgent bronchoscopic extraction in appropriate patients can prevent serious sequelae.

Foreign body (FB) inhalation is among the leading cause of morbidity in the pediatric age group in our country. Bronchoscopy remains the gold standard for the diagnosis and removal of airway foreign bodies. Size, shape, surface, and alignment of an FB play a pivotal role in its successful removal. An appropriate accessory to secure the FB is essential for its successful removal so that it will not be lost during the passage through the subglottic and glottic region. We present a case of aspiration of a spherical metallic FB in the bronchus of a 7-year-old child and our struggle during its removal.

A 36-year-old white man presented with hemoptysis and hematemesis. The medical history was significant for a bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. He had swallowed 3 fishhooks and aspirated 1 into his lungs. A chest x-ray showed the fishhook in the right main stem bronchus. He underwent a flexible bronchoscopy for removal of the foreign object. The technique of the removal of the fishhook is described. Foreign object aspiration usually occurs in the pediatric or the geriatric population. Aspiration of foreign objects in adults is commonly associated with psychiatric illnesses in patients. After appropriate imaging, bronchoscopy or even cardiothoracic surgery is usually required for removal of the foreign object. Fishhooks may be more difficult to remove.