Abstract
Foreign body aspiration (FBA) can be potentially fatal if the object is large enough
to cause nearly complete obstruction of the upper airway. The object causing obstruction
beyond the carina can result in less severe clinical presentation. FBA is rare in
adults than in children. If the clinical history is not suggestive of FBA, then a
high index of suspicion and flexible bronchoscopy can ensure proper diagnosis and
prompt intervention. We present a case of an adult with aspirated betel nut in the
left main bronchus, removed using flexible bronchoscopy with the aid of a Fogarty
balloon catheter following the failure of rigid bronchoscopy.
Keywords
flexible bronchoscopy - Fogarty catheter - impacted foreign body - left main bronchus
