Radiographic Evaluation of Aspirated Metallic Foil Foreign Bodies

• Published in: Annals of otology, rhinology & laryngology Vol. 114; no. 6; pp. 419 - 424
• Main Authors: Orgill, Richard D., Pasic, Thomas R., Peppler, Walter W., Hoffman, Mark D.
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Los Angeles, CA SAGE Publications 01.06.2005; Annals Publishing Compagny; SAGE PUBLICATIONS, INC
• Subjects: Absorptiometry, Photon; Aluminum; Biological and medical sciences; Bronchoscopy; Endoscopy; Feasibility Studies; Foreign Bodies - diagnostic imaging; Humans; Infant; Inhalation; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Male; Medical sciences; Otorhinolaryngology. Stomatology; Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; Radiography, Thoracic - methods; Respiratory Sounds - etiology; bronchus; differential diagnosis; trachea; nonradiopaque material; foreign body; tracheobronchial tree; aluminum; thoracic radiography; bronchoscopy; candy wrapper; Bronchoscopy; Evaluation; Radiodiagnosis; Tracheobronchial; Bronchus; Exploration; ENT; Thorax; Differential diagnostic; Radiography; Foreign body; Endoscopy; Trachea
• ISSN: 0003-4894; 1943-572X
• DOI: 10.1177/000348940511400601

Objectives: Aspirated objects generally represent items accessible to children. When metallic candy wrapper aspiration is questioned, radiographic studies may aid diagnosis. An infant with repeated chest radiographs negative for a metallic foreign body was found to have a multi-layer metallic candy wrapper in the left main bronchus. The purpose of this study was to determine whether conventional and dual-energy radiographic techniques exclude the presence of aspirated metallic foil wrappers. Methods: Single-layer and multi-layer metallic candy wrappers were radiographically studied with conventional and dual-energy radiographic techniques in 3 tissue models. Results: No single-layer metallic samples were detectable with conventional or dual-energy radiography. The multi-layer samples were not detectable at less than 8 layers (pulmonary tissue model) or 16 layers (mediastinal model) by either conventional or dual-energy radiography. Conclusions: Conventional and dual-energy chest radiographic techniques do not reliably exclude the presence of aspirated metallic foil wrappers.