A person who experiences near-drowning at a beach or who is buried in sand may aspirate sand. It is a condition that may be easily overlooked if mild or if not specifically included in the patient evaluation.
Clinical findings:
(1) history of near-drowning or burial in sand
(2) sand in the mouth
(3) sand in the sputum
(4) sand in broncho-alveolar lavage fluid
(5) difficult ventilation if there is airway obstruction by sand
Imaging findings:
(1) material outlining upper airway on a chest X-ray or other imaging studies (sand bronchogram)
Implications:
(1) The patient may develop pneumonia by environmental bacteria that were aspirated.
(2) Sand may be present in the paranasal sinuses and may be associated with sinusitis.
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