Foreign Body Causing Airway Obstruction

Your Path

  • Foreign body causing airway obstruction

Etiology

  • Foreign body can lodge in larger airway following aspiration
  • Tracheal obstruction from larger-sized foreign body

Risk Factors

  • Young child w/accidental aspiration foreign body
  • Altered mental status in an adult → intoxication, over dose, other metabolic
  • Aspiration for any other reason

Symptoms

  • Sob and doe
  • Cough
  • Sputum
  • May improve if concurrent infection retreated, but then recur in same location if underlying obstruction not addressed
  • Can be acute or progressive/recurrent

Physical Exam Findings

  • Wheezing, which can be focal over site of obstruction
  • Tracheal obstruction can cause stridor