Insights in Images – Clinical Challenge: Case 1

 

The reading of the chest x-ray was “suspected foreign body in the left main bronchus.” This reading was based on overinflation of the left lung with deviation of the trachea, increased lucency of the left lung area, and flattening of the left diaphragm. The increased lucency makes the ribs and scapula more prominent on the left.

The child was sent to the ER and was bronchoscoped. No foreign body was found, although there was inflammation along the main bronchus. The initial impression of the ER physicians was that a foreign body had been present but since been expelled. The child is still under observation.