Unnoticed aspiration of palate plate impression material in a neonate: Diagnosis, therapy, outcome.

A 7 week old infant was admitted with respiratory failure. Chest X-ray showed an atelectatic right upper lobe, herniation of right middle and lower lobe into the left thorax, and compression-atelectasis of the left lung. Thoracic CT showed complete occlusion of the right superior bronchus with a radiopaque foreign material. Six weeks prior, an impression for a palate plate using polyvinylsiloxane was taken. The material was removed with a rigid endoscopy, in readiness of extracorporeal oxygenation in case of tracheal obstruction or bronchial rupture. After 4 months of follow-up a hyper reactive airway with recurrent upper and lower airway infections remains.