A Case of Significant Endobronchial Injury due to Recurrent Iron Pill Aspiration.
10.4046/trd.2015.78.4.440
- Author:
Joo Hee KWAK
1
;
Gun Woo KOO
;
Sung Jun CHUNG
;
Dong Won PARK
;
Hyun Jung KWAK
;
Ji Yong MOON
;
Sang Heon KIM
;
Jang Won SOHN
;
Ho Joo YOON
;
Dong Ho SHIN
;
Sung Soo PARK
;
Ju Yeon PYO
;
Young Ha OH
;
Tae Hyung KIM
Author Information
1. Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. drterry@hanyang.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords:
Iron;
Pulmonary Atelectasis
- MeSH:
Biopsy;
Bronchi;
Bronchoscopy;
Constriction, Pathologic;
Cough;
Exudates and Transudates;
Female;
Humans;
Inflammation;
Iron*;
Korea;
Necrosis;
Phenobarbital;
Pulmonary Atelectasis
- From:Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
2015;78(4):440-444
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Gastric mucosal damage by iron pills is often reported. However, iron pill aspiration is uncommon. Oxidation of the impacted iron pill causes bronchial mucosal damage that progresses to chronic bronchial inflammation, necrosis, endobronchial stenosis and rarely, perforation. We reported a case of a 92-year-old woman with chronic productive cough and significant left-sided atelectasis. Bronchoscopy revealed substantial luminal narrowing with exudative inflammation of the left main bronchus. Bronchial washing cytology showed necroinflammatory exudate and a small amount of brown material. Mucosal biopsy showed diffuse brown pigments indicative of ferrous pigments, crystal deposition, and marked tissue degeneration. After vigorous coughing, she expectorated dark sediments and her symptoms and radiological abnormalities improved. There are a few such reports worldwide; however, this was the first case reported in Korea. Careful observation of aspiration-prone patients and early detection of iron pill aspiration may prevent iron pill-induced bronchial injury.
