A Case of Significant Endobronchial Injury due to Recurrent Iron Pill Aspiration

Gastric mucosal damage by iron pills is often reported. However, iron pill aspiration is uncommon. Oxidation of theimpacted 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 productivecough and significant left-sided atelectasis. Bronchoscopy revealed substantial luminal narrowing with exudativeinflammation of the left main bronchus. Bronchial washing cytology showed necroinflammatory exudate and a smallamount of brown material. Mucosal biopsy showed diffuse brown pigments indicative of ferrous pigments, crystaldeposition, and marked tissue degeneration. After vigorous coughing, she expectorated dark sediments and hersymptoms and radiological abnormalities improved. There are a few such reports worldwide; however, this was the firstcase reported in Korea. Careful observation of aspiration-prone patients and early detection of iron pill aspiration mayprevent iron pill–induced bronchial injury.

keywords: Iron, Pulmonary Atelectasis

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Article Contents

Vol.78 No.4

A Case of Significant Endobronchial Injury due to Recurrent Iron Pill Aspiration

Abstract

Reference

Tuberculosis & Respiratory Diseases