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CXR Case 140

A 39 yo lady is sewing and frees her had to answer her phone by placing a needle between her lips. On being told some humorous news she inhales sharply…

click images to enlarge


Describe and interpret this CXR

CHEST X-RAY INTERPRETATION

CXR Interpretation:
There is a needle projecting over the right heart border in the right lower zone.
Otherwise a normal film.

Lateral CXR Interpretation:
The needle appears to be in the right lower lobe, medial segment airway.


CLINICAL CORRELATION

Bronchoscopy confirmed the presence of the needle in the right lower lobe.


CLINICAL PEARLS

There are safer places to temporarily store needles than the mouth.

  • Larger inhaled foreign bodies can cause peripheral collapse of the airways and obstructive pneumonia.
  • Rigid bronchoscopy can often be required to remove some foreign bodies, especially if there is concern with possible haemorrhage.

More iatrogenic mishaps at Top 10 X-Ray foreign bodies


TOP 150 CXR SERIES


Prof Fraser Brims Curtin Medical School, acute and respiratory medicine specialist, immediate care in sport doc, ex-Royal Navy, academic| Top 100 CXR | Google Scholar | ICIS Course ANZ

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