A 42-year-old man, Mr. N.T.T., recently underwent a challenging and lengthy medical journey.
Nearly Fatal Meal
The ordeal began about a month ago when Mr. T. choked on a fish-head soup, a common Vietnamese dish. Believing it was simply a bout of spicy food, he didn’t seek immediate medical attention. However, persistent coughing fits, including coughing up blood, developed over the following weeks.
Fearing respiratory illnesses like pneumonia, Mr. T. visited a local hospital. X-rays revealed no abnormalities.
After several weeks of worsening shortness of breath and bloody/yellow phlegm, the local hospital suspected pulmonary tuberculosis and recommended he seek a specialist diagnosis at a higher-level hospital.
A 2-cm fishbone lodged in the patient’s airway. (Photo: Nam Sai Gon Hospital).
In a state of panic, Mr. T. postponed business ventures to seek treatment across various facilities. Finally, a doctor suspected a foreign object lodged in his airway.
He was then referred to Dr. Phạm Thị Vân Thanh, a respiratory endoscopy specialist with extensive experience at a major hospital in Ho Chi Minh City, now at Nam Sai Gon International General Hospital.
A CT scan revealed a foreign object in the left bronchus. Further examination identified a 2-centimeter fishbone.
The doctor theorized the bone likely entered his airway during the initial choking incident and remained there for over a month. The persistent coughing exacerbated the bronchial injury, rather than expelling the foreign object.
The retrieved fishbone. (Photo: Nam Sai Gon Hospital).
Dr. Thanh quickly performed a flexible bronchoscopy under general anesthesia to remove the bone. The procedure took just 30 minutes, and the airway was cleared.
Post-procedure, Mr. T. experienced improved breathing, resumed normal eating, and was discharged later that day.
Dangerous Complications of Foreign Bodies
Dr. Thanh highlighted the patient’s fortunate timely discovery. During the removal process, significant granulation tissue (scar tissue) had formed around the fishbone, narrowing the airway by approximately 30%.
“Delayed removal significantly increases the risk of airway obstruction. Sharp foreign objects, such as fishbones, can cause serious complications, from granulomatous tissue necrosis to airway blockage or collapse, and even death if not treated promptly,” Dr. Thanh explained.
Another case treated by Nam Sai Gon International General Hospital involved Mr. T.Q.D., a 48-year-old man from Nha Trang, who choked on a large 2cm x 2cm duck bone lodged in his left bronchus.
Dr. Thanh performs an endoscope procedure. (Photo: Nam Sai Gon Hospital).
Mr. D. suffered from prolonged shortness of breath, difficulty swallowing, and relentless coughing. Dr. Thanh’s bronchoscopy procedure successfully removed the bone, resolving the crisis.
The doctor cautioned the public to carefully remove bones during food preparation, emphasizing the importance of eating slowly and chewing thoroughly to prevent choking incidents.
If experiencing persistent coughing, shortness of breath, or difficulty swallowing after choking, seek immediate consultation from a respiratory specialist to address potential foreign objects and avert severe complications like pneumonia or lung tissue necrosis.
