Chronic Dysphonea in a Child Revealing a Foreign Body: Case Report

Penetration syndrome is a common reason for consultation in the emergency department. It is a source of morbidity and mortality, especially in children between 1-3 years old. It is manifested by a sudden onset of choking, coughing and cyanosis while the child is perfectly healthy. We report the case of a 4 years old boy who suddenly presented dysphonia and dyspnea grade 2 (mMRC scale). He was brought to the emergency room after six weeks of persistent symptoms. The parents did not notice the penetration syndrome. Cervical CT and laryngoscopy showed a foreign body in the glottis and sub glottis. The symptoms disappeared after the removal of the foreign body. If an airway foreign body is suspected, even in the absence of penetration syndrome or specific symptoms, an endoscopic assessment should be released as late diagnosis and treatment can lead to dramatic consequences.