An airway traffic jam: a plastic traffic cone masquerading as bronchial carcinoma

BMJ Case Rep. 2017 Sep 21:2017:bcr2017220514. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2017-220514.

Abstract

Tracheobronchial foreign body (TFB) aspiration is a common occurrence in children compared with adults. Long-standing cases of TFB aspiration during childhood presenting in an adult have rarely been reported. We report the unique case of an endobronchial Playmobil traffic cone that went undetected for 40 years and presented as a suspected bronchogenic carcinoma. This was subsequently removed successfully with flexible bronchoscopy. To our knowledge this is the first case of a TFB that was overlooked this length of time.

Keywords: lung cancer (oncology); respiratory cancer; respiratory medicine.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Airway Obstruction / diagnosis*
  • Airway Obstruction / diagnostic imaging
  • Airway Obstruction / etiology
  • Airway Obstruction / surgery
  • Bronchial Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Bronchial Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Bronchial Neoplasms / surgery
  • Bronchoscopy
  • Delayed Diagnosis
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Foreign-Body Reaction / diagnosis*
  • Foreign-Body Reaction / diagnostic imaging
  • Foreign-Body Reaction / etiology
  • Foreign-Body Reaction / surgery
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Play and Playthings
  • Respiratory Aspiration / complications*