Paediatric Airway Foreign Bodies Masquerading COVID-19 Pneumonia- A Diagnostic Challenge in COVID-19 Pandemic: Case Report

Abstract

Foreign body aspiration (FBA) is not very uncommon in the paediatric population. Its presentation can vary from a simple cough to dangerous pneumonia. This study presents cases with a negative history of FB where the presentation is delayed, findings are masked, and a rigid diagnostic bronchoscopy is done as a supplementary procedure that helped rescue the children from adverse outcomes. The child's grandmother revealed a history of the child playing with ripe tamarind fruit a day before the arrival. We consider the differential diagnosis of croup, Foreign body aspiration and COVID-19 pneumonia. RT-PCR for COVID-19 antigen was negative. The child was treated like a case of viral/bacterial pneumonia. We consider Rigid diagnostic bronchoscopy as the CT findings were suggestive of aspiration pneumonitis. We suggest repeated probing about FBA, a high index of suspicion, earlier radiological investigations like high-resolution CT scans or virtual bronchoscopies, and a quick referral to ENT to help rescue these children faster.