Inhalation of a Foreign Body in a Child

1. Abstract
Inhalation of foreign bodies is relatively common in pediatrics and can be life-threatening. We report the case of a 9-year-old child who has had chest pain for 15 days associated with fever. On examination, he was eupneic with the presence of a pleural effusion syndrome mimicking a pleuropneumopathy. A chest x-ray of the front showed a right basal opacity. Faced with the non-clinical improvement under antibiotic therapy, a resumption of the interrogation revealed the existence of a neglected penetration syndrome that dated back 20 days. A thoracic CT showed hyperdense linear formation, partially obstructive at the proximal part of the homolateral inferior lobar branch. A rigid bronchoscopy removed a piece of pencil located at the level of the hull. The trend was favourable.

It is necessary to have in mind an inhalation of foreign body if a pleuropneumopathy that does not respond to the treatment.