Which radiographic finding is typical after foreign body aspiration?

Which radiographic finding is typical after foreign body aspiration?

• A. Hyperinflation of the affected lung
• B. Pleural effusion
• C. Atelectasis of entire lung
• D. Pneumothorax

Answer: (A)

Air trapping from partial airway obstruction is what radiographs usually show after foreign body aspiration. When a foreign body partially blocks a bronchus, air can get in during inhalation but has trouble escaping during exhalation. This one-way valve effect causes air to accumulate distal to the obstruction, leading to hyperinflation of the affected lung. On imaging, you’ll see increased lucency and overinflation in the side of the chest supplied by the obstructed bronchus, often with flattening of the diaphragms. Expiratory radiographs can make this hyperinflation more obvious. If the obstruction becomes complete or is longstanding, distal atelectasis can develop, and infections may follow, but the hallmark early finding is the hyperinflated, air-trapped lung. Other findings like pleural effusion or a pneumothorax are not typical primary radiographic signs of foreign body aspiration, and complete lung atelectasis is less common than focal, segmental collapse distal to an obstructed airway.

Air trapping from partial airway obstruction is what radiographs usually show after foreign body aspiration. When a foreign body partially blocks a bronchus, air can get in during inhalation but has trouble escaping during exhalation. This one-way valve effect causes air to accumulate distal to the obstruction, leading to hyperinflation of the affected lung.

On imaging, you’ll see increased lucency and overinflation in the side of the chest supplied by the obstructed bronchus, often with flattening of the diaphragms. Expiratory radiographs can make this hyperinflation more obvious. If the obstruction becomes complete or is longstanding, distal atelectasis can develop, and infections may follow, but the hallmark early finding is the hyperinflated, air-trapped lung.

Other findings like pleural effusion or a pneumothorax are not typical primary radiographic signs of foreign body aspiration, and complete lung atelectasis is less common than focal, segmental collapse distal to an obstructed airway.