Bronchial foreign body misdiagnosed as pulmonary tuberculosis

Retained and neglected foreign bodies in the respiratory tract in children are a common occurrence. Undiagnosed foreign bodies can cause mechanical effects or chemical reactions and may present as chronic pulmonary infection, bronchiectasis, asthma, and lung collapse or lung abscess. Delay in diagnosis, appears to result from a failure to give serious consideration to the diagnosis, normal chest roentgenographic findings, and negative bronchoscopic findings. A case of left bronchial foreign body aspiration is herein reported to illustrate the causes and complications of the delayed diagnosis. It is hoped that this will help sensitize the medical practitioner of the need for a high index of suspicion in children presenting with symptoms suggestive of foreign body aspiration. This study will also serve as advocacy for the provision of adequate bronchoscopic equipments for paediatric practice in our health facilities