Background and Objectives : Diagnosis of foreign body aspiration in children has not been satisfactory, although many methods have included history, physical examination, radiographic findings, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and
lung
scan. Therefore, a simple and definitive method is needed and we have studied the usefulness of flexible bronchoscopy in the diagnosis of tracheobronchial foreign bodies in children. Materials and Method : A retrospective review was undertaken of
67
cases referred with suspicion of foreign bodies in children. Materials and Method : A retrospective review was undertaken of 67 cases referred with suspicion of foreign body aspiration. The age of patients ranged from 3 months to 192 months, with
a
mean
age of 33.5 months. Flexible bronchoscopy was performed in 37 cases with topical -local anesthesia, because the evidence of tracheobronchial foreign body aspiration was not conclusive. Results : We detected foreign bodies in 72.9% (27) and
secretion
suggesting foreign bodies in 18.9% (7). All of 34 children who had normal flexible bronchoscopic examination were discharged after improvement by medical treatment. There were no complications except transient cyanosis. Conclusion : We suggest
that
the
diagnostic use of the pediatric flexible bronchoscope is safe, definitive, and cost-effective method for the identification of patients with tracheobronchial foreign bodies.
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