Chronic Esophageal Foreign Body Presenting as Wheezing and Cough in a Toddler

Abstract

The presentation, evaluation, and management of chronic esophageal foreign bodies are not well described in pediatric patients. Many patients present with ill-defined respiratory symptoms, making diagnosis challenging. We report on a 2-year-old girl who presented with several months of worsening cough and wheezing unresponsive to medical management. She also had recent onset of feeding difficulty with certain consistencies. She underwent a joint bronchoscopy with the otolaryngology team. Bronchoscopy demonstrated severe tracheal narrowing and esophagoscopy showed severe inflammation. A chest computed tomography scan showed inflammation between the esophagus and trachea. Repeat esophagoscopy revealed an esophageal foreign body embedded into the anterior wall, which was removed via thoracotomy.