Delayed diagnosis of a foreign body:: Aspiration of voice prosthesis:: Case report

Foreign body aspiration of the main airway can mimic different pulmonary disorders and delayed diagnosis may result in life-threatening complications. A 55-year-old man was referred to our clinic with a presumptive diagnosis of pulmonary emboli and pneumonia with complaints of dsypnea and coughing. The patient had undergone total laryngectomy due to larynx carcinoma I year ago. Radiologic modalities revealed that a foreign body in the left lower bronchus caused atelectasis. Bronchoscopy was performed and the foreign body (voice prosthesis) in the left lower lobe bronchus was removed. A fast radiological and clinical improvement was achieved. Clinicians should be aware of the possibility of voice prosthesis aspiration in patients who had undergone laryngectomy. Early diagnosis and treatment may save the patient's life. Bronchoscopy is the primary intervention that is useful for diagnosis and treatment of aspirated foreign bodies.