Fasseeh et al reported a score for identifying pediatric foreign body aspiration. The score can help to guide diagnosis and management. The authors are from Kafrelsheikh University in Egypt.
Patient selection: < 16 years
Parameters:
(1) witnessed choking
(2) new onset of or recurrent wheeze
(3) sudden cough
(4) unilateral diminished breath sounds
(5) wheezy chest
(6) respiratory distress
(7) unilateral hyperventilation
Parameter
Finding
Points
witnessed choking
no
0
yes
2
new onset or recurrent wheeze
no
0
yes
2
sudden cough
no
0
yes
3
unilateral diminished breath sounds
no
0
yes
3
wheezy chest
no
0
yes
1
respiratory distress
no
0
yes
2
unilateral hyperventilation
no
0
yes
2
total score =
= SUM(points for all of the parameters)
Interpretation:
• minimum score: 0
• maximum score: 15
• A score > 2 had a sensitivity of 0.80 and specificity of 0.84.
Performance:
• The area under the ROC curve was 0.88.
Score
Recommendation
0 or 1
close follow-up
2 or 3
flexible bronchoscopy
4 or 5
flexible or rigid bronchoscopy
>= 6
rigid bronchoscopy
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