Ear, nose, and throat foreign bodies in pediatric age

Abstract

Ear, nose, and throat foreign bodies (FBs) in pediatric age group are one of the most common emergencies managed by otorhinolaryngologists. FB in the ear, nose, and throat may cause significant morbidity and may need costly management if not treated in time. The diagnosis of the FB is based on the history from parents or caregivers, physical examination, and imaging. Successful removal of the FB depends on the site of FB, type of the FB, availability of the instruments, and skill of the clinicians attempting for FB removal. The attempts of the FB removal from the ear, nose, and throat by untrained or inexperienced health professionals may lead to complications. It is a necessity to educate the caregivers or parents for close monitoring their children for close monitoring and avoid such FB insertion. This review article focuses on the prevalence, factors related to the FB insertion into the ear, nose, and throat in pediatric age, clinical presentations, and current management. This article will surely increase awareness among the emergency physicians, pediatricians, family physicians, and otolaryngologists for dealing with pediatric patients with FB in the ear, nose, and throat and help them to resolve this problem to a great extent.

Keywords

• ear
• foreign body
• nose
• pediatric age
• throat