RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Inhalation of wild barley into the airways. Two different outcomes
JF Saudi Medical Journal
JO Saudi Med J
FD Prince Sultan Military Medical City
SP 468
OP 470
VO 21
IS 5
A1 Fuad F. Ammari
A1 Khalil T. Faris
A1 Tareq M. Mahafza
YR 2000
UL http://smj.org.sa/content/21/5/468.abstract
AB OBJECTIVE: There are only two previous reports of wild barley inhalation into the tracheobronchial tree in the literature. Our aim is to describe the effects, outcome and management of wild barely inhalation into the airways.METHODS: In a retrospective study, 18 patients with inhalation of spike of wild barley into the tracheobronchial tree were divided into 2 groups according to their clinical presentation.RESULTS: Eighteen children below 5 years of age presented between 1989 and 1994 inclusive. Fourteen patients presented with a short duration of choking and cough The wild barley spike was removed by laryngoscopy (12 patients) or rigid bronchoscopy (2 patients). Four patients presented with a longer history of cough, dyspnea and fever and had serious respiratory disease such as pneumothorax, lobar pneumonia and pleural empyema requiring surgical intervention. All patients made a satisfactory recovery.CONCLUSION: Wild barley is a common grass in our area and we should be aware that children are exposed to the risk of inhalation into the airways.