FOREIGN BODIES IN LARYNX AND BRONCHI
Children are likely to acquire the habit of putting small objects, such as buttons, small playthings, and even pins, into their mouths. If the child becomes frightened, tries to cough, laugh or cry that which is held in the mouth at the time is likely to be drawn into the larynx and may lodge there, especially if it is sharp or has rough edges. If, however, it is a smooth object, such as a button or bean, it is more likely to pass into the bronchi, usually the right one.
When the foreign body enters the larynx there will be violent coughing which may result in the expulsion of the object. If it is not immediately expelled but becomes impacted in the larynx there will be marked dyspnea and even death from suffocation.
When the foreign body passes the larynx it will lodge, usually, in one of the bronchi or at the bifurcation of the trachea. If this occurs there will be localized pain over the region of the foreign body. There is a cough and may be spitting of blood. The irritation will result in a local inflammation; this may result in the formation of an abscess which may prove serious. In some cases following such conditions there is prolonged illness resembling pulmonary tuberculosis during which there may be sufficient relaxation in the muscular walls of the bronchi to permit the foreign body being expelled during a paroxysm of coughing. This has occurred in many cases. Following the expulsion of the foreign body the patient recovers very rapidly. In some cases there are repeated attacks of pneumonia. The health of the child becomes greatly impaired and thus he becomes easily susceptible to the acute attacks which may prove too much for the adaptability of the body.