Initial temporary misdiagnosis of bronchiectasis following pumpkin seed aspiration

Abstract

Undiagnosed and retained foreign bodies may result in serious complications such as pneumonia, atelectasis, or bronchiectasis. In this report, the authors present a rare case of temporary bronchiectasis of the left lung due to a long-standing retained foreign body in a child. Interestingly, the whole left lung was affected due to the check-valve type of obstruction of the main bronchus. Unexpected, unilateral findings on a chest x-ray or a CT scan could be related to an inhaled foreign body, and any delay in making the diagnosis may result in serious complications. © 2007 General Practice Airways Group. All rights reserved.