VOLUME 2 , ISSUE 1 ( January-February, 2023 ) > List of Articles
Anant D Kulsange
Keywords : Aspiration, Bronchoscopy, Computed tomography chest, Pin, Radiology
Citation Information : Kulsange AD. A Pin is Mightier than the Sword!. 2023; 2 (1):21-24.
DOI: 10.5005/jp-journals-11006-0039
License: CC BY-NC 4.0
Published Online: 07-03-2023
Copyright Statement: Copyright © 2023; The Author(s).
Introduction: Accidental ingestion and aspiration of foreign bodies are common in extremes of ages and are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality, especially in the pediatric population. Case description: Here, we present a case report of an adult female patient who presented with aspiration of a hairpin wherein, a chest radiograph and Computed tomography (CT) chest demonstrated the presence of the hairpin in the right lower lobe segmental bronchus. Initial retrieval attempts under bronchoscopy and fluoroscopic guidance with snare retrieval were unsuccessful. The patient later presented with abdominal pain and on evaluation with an X-ray and CT abdomen, the hairpin was found to be in the transverse colon and was eventually evacuated after per-rectal contrast administration. Discussion and conclusion: Imaging plays an important role in confirming the presence of foreign bodies, localizing them, and is crucial in further management of these patients. In particular, sharp objects commonly cause complications as they pass through the aerodigestive and gastrointestinal tract. Radiography allows for the rapid evaluation of such patients as well as ruling out complications such as consolidation or pneumoperitoneum. Fluoroscopy and computed tomography play an ancillary role in complicated cases. Aggressive clinical management is warranted in these cases and radiologists must be familiar with their imaging appearances and clinical implications.