The role of 3D computed tomography (CT) imaging in the diagnosis of foreign body aspiration in children

C. Yang, R. Hua, K. Xu, X. Hua, P. Ma, J.-N. Zheng, S.-D. Li, J.-S. Li, Y.-T. Rong, C.-F. Hu, X. Lu, H. Ma, G.-H. Chen, Q. Quan

Department of Radiology, Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical College, Xuzhou, P.R. Chin. xukaixz@163.com

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• Radiology

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to improve the understanding of FBA in children and to decrease the rate of misdiagnosis, missed diagnosis and morbidity.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: We analyzed the clinical features and the three-dimensional reconstructed CT images of 590 children with foreign body aspiration (FBA) in the Xuzhou area of the Jiangsu province.

RESULTS: CT imaging revealed common complications of FBA including emphysema (n = 379), pneumonia (n = 174), and atelectasis (n = 26). The remaining 120 patients had no visible complications on the three-dimensional reconstructed CT images. Serious complications including pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum, subcutaneous emphysema, pneumatorrhachis could also be observed. The types of foreign bodies were diverse: the most common were peanuts and sunflower seeds. The diagnostic accuracy of the three-dimensional CT imaging was high, with a sensitivity and specificity of 99.83% and 99.89%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS: 3D CT imaging is an accurate, non-invasive technique to evaluate children with suspected FBA that can help decrease the rate of misdiagnosis and eliminate a delay in treatment for this potentially life-threatening condition.

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