Snapshot A frantic mother brings her 2-year-old child to the emergency department after he swallowed an earring. Radiographs are shown. Introduction Aspirated solid or semi-solid object, usually lodged in the larynx or trachea login to view 1 more bullet May be life-threatening is large enough to completely obstruct the airway Can lead to chronic, recurrent infection if retrieval is delayed Epidemiology Usually presents after 6 months of age Risk factors include login to view 5 more bullets Presentation Symptoms login to view 14 more bullets Physical exam login to view 3 more bullets IMAGING Foreign body login to view 2 more bullets Acid/alkali ingestion login to view 4 more bullets studies ABG login to view 2 more bullets Differential Chronic URI, pneumonia, tonsillitis, pneumonia, pneumothorax, emphysema, respiratory failure Treatment Prevention login to view 1 more bullet Medical intervention login to view 5 more bullets If the object is thought to be in the esophagus, based on imaging and clinical presentation: login to view 3 more bullets Complications May lead to chronic pneumonia Can cause sudden respiratory failure and death Prognosis Very good to excellent if identified and resolved early