Recurrent Atelectasis in a Previously Healthy Child: A Case Report and Literature Review

Abstract

Background: Atelectasis is the partial or complete collapse of a lung or its segment. The diagnosis of atelectasis in children calls for urgent identification and management of the underlying cause.  There is a need for high index of suspicion of foreign body aspiration (FBA) in children with atelectasis even in the absence of a positive history. The aim of this report is to present a case of atelectasis from foreign body aspiration (FBA), without a suggestive history, in a previously healthy boy and review the relevant literature.    

Case Report: A 10-year-old boy presented with a 2-week history of cough, weight loss and fever which failed to subside on out-patient treatment. He denied history of FBA. He was managed for left lobar pneumonia with lung collapse 3 months earlier with good response. He remained well till his re-presentation with features of recurrent left lobar pneumonia and lung collapse. He was re-admitted, re-evaluated, treated with remarkable improvement, then referred for further evaluation. Repeat chest CT identified foreign body (FB) in the airway and on rigid bronchoscopy, a biro end was extracted. Similar symptoms have not recurred.

Conclusion: Primary care providers and paediatricians must remain alert to FBA as a cause of atelectasis even in the absence of a positive history.