Citation

Misra RP, Dietl CA. Ann. Thorac. Surg. 2011; 91(3): 921-922.

Affiliation

Department of Surgery, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, Society of Thoracic Surgeons, Publisher Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.athoracsur.2010.08.025

PMID

21353033

Abstract

A 42-year-old man presented with massive hemoptysis. His past medical history was significant for a bayonet injury to the left chest several years ago. A chest computed tomographic scan showed a radio-opaque foreign body in the left lower lobe. A left thoracotomy was performed because of unrelenting hemoptysis in association with a foreign body that could not be retrieved by bronchoscopy. At surgery, a toothpick covered with blood was retrieved from the left lower lobe bronchus. A left lower lobectomy was performed because a lung abscess was present. Postoperatively, the patient confirmed that 1 year prior he had fallen asleep with a toothpick in his mouth while intoxicated.

Language: en