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Case of the Month 05/09

Q: This 84 year old male was brought to the ED from an outpatient clinic for further evaluation. He had no complaints or abnormal vital signs in the ED.

What's wrong with this picture?

Hint #1
Here is the post-procedure chest x-ray.

Hint #2
Here is the lateral chest x-ray.

View answer

During a dental clinic evaluation, the patient’s crown was noted to accidentally go down his throat. As it was unclear if it entered the respiratory or gastrointestinal tract, x-rays of the chest and abdomen were taken in the ED. The crown can be clearly seen in the left bronchus (see below). It was removed without difficulty using a rigid bronchoscope in the OR. The patient was discharged later that day without complications.