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He Got Nailed - A Case of Aspiration of a Metal Nail

Abstract

Bajaj Navin and Yagan Mark

Foreign body aspiration generally presents with choking, difficulty breathing and wheezing. We present a case of an 18-year-old male with a normal physical examination after aspirating a metal nail that was confirmed on chest radiograph. Flexible bronchoscopy was unsuccessful and bronchoscopy under general anesthesia was done to retrieve the metal nail. Diagnosis can be accomplished by history, physical exam and radiological evaluation which includes chest radiograph and chest CT. Treatment consists of removal of the object by flexible or rigid bronchoscopy. Complications of foreign body aspiration arise primarily as a result of missed diagnosis or failure to present in a timely manner resulting in delayed removal of the object.