Shaare Zedek Doctors Remove Stone from 10-Month-Old Infant's Airway
Doctors at Shaare Zedek Medical Center removed a small gravel stone from the airway of a 10-month-old infant using a minimally invasive procedure, preventing severe complications.
Doctors at Shaare Zedek Medical Center successfully removed a small gravel stone from the airway of a 10-month-old infant in a delicate, minimally invasive procedure. The baby, identified by the pseudonym Shani, had been suffering from a persistent cough and shortness of breath for about a week.
Complicated Medical History
Shani had previously undergone a complex chest surgery, which left her with existing pressure on one of her bronchial tubes. When her symptoms worsened and failed to respond to standard treatments such as steroids and nebulizers, her worried parents brought her to the pediatric emergency department at Shaare Zedek.
Dr. Leon Joseph, a senior physician at the Pediatric Pulmonology Institute at Shaare Zedek, noted that the infant's initial symptoms closely resembled her chronic post-surgical condition. However, because her condition changed and standard treatments proved ineffective, the medical team decided to investigate further.
"When you enter into such a scenario, you must always suspect the possibility of foreign body aspiration, even when the suspicion is extremely low," Dr. Joseph explained.
Bronchoscopy Procedure
Faced with the choice between a CT scan and a bronchoscopy—an invasive procedure that allows direct visualization and immediate removal of any foreign object—the medical team opted for the latter.
During the procedure, doctors discovered a small gravel stone lodged firmly in Shani's bronchial tube. The stone was located in an exceptionally sensitive area directly between two blood vessels. Had it remained there, it could have penetrated a blood vessel and caused severe bleeding, recurrent pneumonia, and irreversible lung damage.
A multidisciplinary team from the pediatric pulmonology, pediatric ear, nose, and throat (ENT), and anesthesia units utilized a flexible bronchoscope equipped with a tiny wire mesh basket to capture and extract the stone without resorting to rigid bronchoscopy.
"The use of this minimally invasive technique made it possible to avoid a rigid bronchoscopy—a much more invasive and traumatic procedure that could have complicated treatment given the baby's complex medical background," said Prof. Pierre Attal, director of the Pediatric ENT Unit at Shaare Zedek.
Swift Recovery and Warning to Parents
Shani's recovery was nearly instantaneous. The persistent cough ceased, and within hours she returned to her normal state. She was discharged home just hours after the procedure.
Doctors emphasized that foreign body aspiration can occur at any age, even in very young infants who are not yet crawling. They urged parents to maintain constant vigilance, keep small objects off the floor, and avoid giving nuts, popcorn, or whole grapes and cherry tomatoes to young children.
