Retrieval of an endobronchial foreign body using a guide wire and angioplasty catheter

We report the use of a guide wire and angioplasty balloon catheter to retrieve an endobronchial foreign body after failure of conventional techniques. The foreign body was a pen top that had a small lumen, which allowed passage of the wire and use of the balloon catheter for retrieval. The difficulty of retrieval of such objects and the limitations of the equipment usually used for this procedure are discussed.