Clinical, Radiological and Procedural Perspectives on Pediatric Foreign Body Aspiration: A Retrospective Analysis from Benghazi Children’s Hospital, Libya

Background: Foreign body aspiration (FBA) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in preschool-aged children, especially in low-resource areas where diagnosis may be delayed. This study aimed to describe the clinical, radiological, and procedural features of paediatric FBA in a single tertiary centre in Libya. Material and Methods: A retrospective review was conducted for all children aged 16 years and younger with suspected FBA at Benghazi Children’s Hospital in 2019. The data included demographics, symptoms, imaging results, and bronchoscopy findings. All of the patients in this study underwent rigid bronchoscopy under general anesthesia. Results: Sixty-six children (mean age 2.9 years; 62.1% male) were analysed. Cough (90.9%) and observed choking (86.4%) were the most prevalent symptoms. Chest X-rays were normal in 72.7% of cases. Rigid bronchoscopy revealed FBA in 69.7%, mainly vegetative material like peanuts and seeds. The right main bronchus was the most common location (50%). Fever, wheezing, and a history of previous infections were associated with a significant delay in diagnosis (P < 0.05). Operative success was greater than 95% and complications were rare. Conclusion: In pediatric FBA, normal radiographs are not predictive of non-aspiration. Diagnosis is still established through rigid bronchoscopy, and treatment is also performed through this method. A high degree of clinical suspicion is necessary, in particular in low-resource settings. This study offers critical regional data to inform practice and prevention.