Inanimate foreign bodies in the nasal cavity: a challenge in pediatric rhinology

Background: Nasal cavities foreign bodies are common emergencies in pediatric rhinology, sometimes leading to life threatening complications of broncho-aspiration.1,2 Diagnosis is often made by anterior rhinoscopy, but sometimes nasal endoscopy and imaging may be needed for deep seated foreign bodies. 1,2 Objectives; To evaluate 79 cases of inanimate nasal foreign bodies removed in our ENT OPD & type of foreign body and complications. Materials and method: 79 cases of nasal foreign bodies removed in the ENT OPD between February 2008 and June 2010 were evaluated. Result: We found higher incidence between 0 and 2 years of age, and the most frequently found foreign bodies were small plastic objects in 21 cases (26.25%),food grain in 18 cases (22.78%), stone pieces in 9 cases(11.39%), sponge pieces in 7 cases(8.86%), dress buttons in 6 cases(7.59%), seeds in 7 cases (8.86%) , button battery cells in 5 cases(6.32%),parts of toys in 4 cases (5.06%) & chalk pieces in 2 cases (2.53 %). Conclusion: Nasal foreign bodies are especially found between the ages of 0 and 2 years. In our study, small plastic objects, food grain, stone pieces were the most frequent foreign bodies found.2,3 75 cases were removed successfully in OPD & 4 cases needed general anesthesia for removal. Complications rate of 17.72% was seen in our study. Epistaxis and vestibulitis were the complications & no broncho-aspiration seen.