A rare case of tracheobronchial foreign body aspiration in an adult patient admitted to the ICU: A case report and review of the literature

Abstract

We report an exceedingly rare case of a foreign body (FB) discovered in the tracheobronchial tree of an adult male admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). The patient was admitted in a state of deep coma after sustaining injuries in a road traffic accident. The head, neck and chest CT scans revealed a foreign body lodged within his tracheobronchial tree. Emergency fibre optic bronchoscopy was performed using a size 8 endotracheal tube. Multiple pieces of glass were then removed by fibre optic bronchoscope using a stone retrieval basket. This case report highlights the importance of thorough clinical and radiological evaluation of polytrauma patients. A rigid bronchoscope is the recommended treatment modality for tracheobronchial foreign body removal, followed by a flexible fibre optic scope.