Lam, 74, was found to have a consolidated mass in the entire lower lobe of his right lung, according to Doctor Dang Thi Mai Khue, Deputy Head of the General Internal Medicine Department at Tam Anh General Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City.

CT scans revealed a consolidated mass (red circle) in the entire lower lobe of the right lung, caused by a foreign body obstructing the bronchial opening. Photo: Tam Anh General Hospital

Initially, a bronchoscopy indicated a lesion resembling an endobronchial tumor. However, during a biopsy of the granular tissue, Doctor Khue successfully removed a peanut, which was a foreign body, from deep beneath the inflamed granular tissue, thereby clearing the obstructed bronchial opening.

Doctor Khue performing bronchoscopy to remove the foreign body for the patient. Photo: Tam Anh General Hospital

Doctor Khue explained that the prolonged presence of the foreign body led to bronchiectasis and purulent inflammation in the surrounding lung area. This also caused the formation of inflammatory tissue, which appeared tumor-like on the CT scan. Pathological results showed no malignant cells, and tests for tuberculosis, fungi, and specific infectious agents were all negative.

Following the removal of the foreign body, Lam's cough subsided. He continued antibiotic treatment and management of underlying conditions, including hypertension, diabetes, and ischemic heart disease, before being discharged in stable condition.

Airway foreign bodies are common in children and older adults, especially when eating hastily, Doctor Khue noted. In some cases, peanuts, fish bones, or food particles can become deeply lodged in the bronchus without the patient realizing it. If left untreated for a long time, foreign bodies can lead to recurrent pneumonia, bronchiectasis, lung abscesses, and even create tumor-like images on scans.

If a cough persists for several weeks without a clear cause, particularly after a choking incident or food aspiration, patients should seek early consultation with a respiratory specialist. Self-medicating with prolonged treatment is not advisable as it can mask symptoms, making diagnosis difficult.