PMC10275709_01
CT chest showing pill lodged in right lower lobe airway.
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A computerized tomography of the chest was performed which demonstrated a foreign body lodged in the right lower lobe truncus basalis bronchus, with associated distal bronchiectasis and mucus plugging (Fig. 1).
Pill visualized in right lower lobe on bronchoscopy.
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Examination revealed a pill to be lodged in the basal segments of the right lower lobe (Fig. 2).
Pill moved to carina.
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Suction was utilized to gently dislodge the pill and move it proximally in right main bronchus, for ease of access with the basket retriever. (Fig. 3).
Clean airways after pill retrieval.
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ETT connector was disconnected to allow for simultaneous removal of bronchoscope and basket retriever keeping the pill under bronchoscopic view throughout the retrieval. Endobronchial examination after removal of pill showed minimal mucosal swelling without any major inflammatory changes in right lower lobe bronchus. (Fig. 4).
Pill after retrieval.
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Surprisingly, the pill maintained its original size and shape with no signs of disintegration during initial bronchoscopic exam and during the process of retrieval (Fig. 5).