Introduction

• Relatively rare, sudden onset, coughing Trachea: foreign body , associated with severe distress and panic.
• Cause: usually inhaled object.
• Signs: coughing, respiratory signs.
• Diagnosis: radiography, bronchoscopy.
• Treatment: removal, antibiotics.
• Prognosis: good if prompt removal.

Pathogenesis

Etiology

• Anything with a small enough diameter, eg grass seed heads, small twigs, small stones.

Predisposing factors

General

• Often seen in shooting/hunting dogs which work in dense undergrowth.
• Exercising/playing/running through heavy undergrowth.

Pathophysiology

• Inflammatory reaction to lodged foreign body.

Complications

• Migration (may be extensive) into pleural space → pleural effusion Pleural: effusion /secondary bronchopneumonia Lung: bacterial pneumonia /encapsulated abscess Airway abscessation.

Timecourse

Diagnosis

Treatment

Outcomes