22.07.2025 20:50
An astonishing incident occurred in Denizli. What was thought to be a lung infection in a 78-year-old paralyzed patient turned out to be a corn kernel that had lodged in her trachea from a pizza she ate five months ago. It was found that the elderly woman's right lung was completely blocked.
A 78-year-old paralyzed woman living in Denizli, a retired teacher, had been frequently going to the hospital recently due to pneumonia.
RIGHT LUNG COMPLETELY BLOCKED It was learned that despite a bronchoscopy performed at the hospital she visited a month ago, no issues were detected. After it was determined that her right lung was completely blocked at the last hospital she visited, she was referred to Pamukkale University (PAÜ) Hospital.
A YELLOW OBJECT WAS SEEN IN THE AIRWAY In the examinations conducted by Prof. Dr. Göksel Altınışık Ergur, a faculty member of the Department of Chest Diseases at PAÜ Hospitals, it was observed that the airway leading to the right lung was completely blocked. Prof. Dr. Altınışık Ergur stated that an emergency bronchoscopy was planned for the patient and the procedure was performed immediately, saying, "While examining the airways with a flexible bronchoscope, it was observed that there was very dense and dark secretion, and it was seen that the airways could only be examined after thoroughly cleaning this. Sterile fluid was administered to the airways using an aspirator (a device used to suck up secretions inside) and this cleaning was done by suction. Subsequently, a yellow object was seen in the airway leading to the right lung. It was clear that this was a foreign body, and its resemblance to a corn kernel was also evident. The procedure to remove the foreign body could be planned to be done under general anesthesia with a rigid bronchoscope; because the treatment of this condition was to remove the foreign body from there without causing additional problems. However, since the patient's general condition was poor for a procedure under general anesthesia, and the risk of the procedure increased due to the presence of additional diseases and infections, it was deemed more appropriate to give a chance to remove the object at the time it was noticed in the patient. It was possible to remove the object using the power of the aspirator that sucks the fluids inside the airway. The tip of the bronchoscope was pressed against the body of the yellow object, and through suction with the aspirator, the two were tightly adhered to each other. Care was taken not to reduce the suction power, and the foreign body and bronchoscope were successfully removed from the airways at the same time."
THE CORN KERNEL ON THE PIZZA SHE ATE 5 MONTHS AGO WAS REMOVED Ergur continued his remarks as follows: "After the procedure, when the medical history regarding the corn kernel was asked again to the patient's relative, it was learned that our patient had corn kernels on the pizza she ate five months ago. Since there was no sudden complaint at that time, such a possibility had not come to mind. This situation, which shows that patients can develop this condition without noticing while eating grainy foods, highlights the necessity of evaluating patients with the meticulousness of a detective once again."
BE CAREFUL NOT TO LAUGH, TALK, OR LIE DOWN WHILE EATING Göksel Altınışık Ergur stated that the entry of foreign bodies into the airway occurs as a result of sudden and unexpected accidents, saying, "Normally, the epiglottis, which is located between the esophagus and the trachea, prevents food from accidentally entering the airways. However, in situations such as laughing, talking, or in bedridden patients who are fed in a lying position, this protective mechanism may be disabled. When foreign bodies such as nuts, chickpeas, liquid foods, needles, or dental prostheses enter the airways, the cough reflex is activated and reacts strongly. Depending on the size of the object and the area it blocks, shortness of breath, cyanosis, and even death may occur. If the Heimlich maneuver or coughing cannot expel the object in the first stage, intervention with bronchoscopy is required. This procedure is usually performed under general anesthesia with a metal tube called a rigid bronchoscope. If the foreign body is not removed, the cessation of air entry and exit in the lung can lead to collapse (atelectasis) and resistant infections. This can also lead to permanent lung damage," he stated.