Foreign body aspiration is one of the leading causes of accidental death in children. Food items are the most common items aspirated in infants and toddlers, whereas older children are more likely to aspirate non-food items. Laryngeal impaction of a foreign body is very rare as most aspirated foreign bodies pass through the laryngeal inlet and get lodged lower down in the airway. Two rare cases of foreign body aspiration with subglottic impaction in very young children (under 2 years of age) are described. In both the cases subglottic impaction occurred consequent to attempted removal of foreign body by blind finger sweeping. The clinical presentation, investigations, and management of these rare cases are discussed.
Trauma induced testicular torsion is a well recognised entity, the incidence being 4-8% in most studies reporting on testicular torsion. The signs and symptoms of testicular torsion may easily be mistakenly attributed to preceding testicular trauma if there was such an event. A patient is described with trauma induced testicular torsion who presented on three occasions before a decision was made to perform scrotal exploration. Unfortunately, an orchidectomy was the outcome. The message that trauma can and not infrequently does precipitate torsion, needs to be reiterated. Awareness of the entity and constant vigilance is required of clinicians to avoid a delay in definitive treatment.
Tracheobronchial foreign bodies, which are common in children, are a leading cause of accidental deaths in children under four years of age. Three cases of tracheobronchial foreign bodies in children less than two years old are described. One of the foreign bodies was unsuspected; the other two were probably related to food habits. All three cases improved without sequelae following prompt bronchoscopic intervention. Young children should not be given food containing bones or hard chitinous shells.