Utility of conventional radiography in the diagnosis and management of pediatric airway foreign bodies.

Pediatric airway foreign bodies are potentially life-threatening situations. The otolaryngologist is often consulted to aid in the diagnosis and management of these difficult cases. Although radiographic studies are often obtained, the decision for surgical intervention is usually based on a suspicious history and physical examination. Our hypothesis is that radiographic imaging should not alter the decision for surgical intervention. We retrospectively reviewed the cases of pediatric airway foreign bodies managed by the otolaryngology department at St Louis Children's Hospital between December 1990 and June 1996 with both radiographic imaging and operative intervention. Ninety-three cases of potential aspiration were identified, with a median patient age of 20 months. The most common presenting signs and symptoms were aspiration event (n = 82), wheezing (n = 76), decreased breath sounds (n = 47), cough (n = 39), respiratory distress (n = 17), fever (n = 16), pneumonia (n = 14), and stridor (n = 7). At the time of endoscopy, 73 patients were found to have an airway foreign body. The sensitivity and specificity of the imaging studies in identifying the presence of an airway foreign body in the 93 patients were 73% and 45%, respectively. Our decision for operative intervention was based on the history and physical examination, and was not changed in the presence of a negative radiographic study. The routine use of radiography should not alter the management of airway foreign bodies, providing that there is a well-equipped endoscopic team familiar with airway foreign bodies.