Bronchial foreign body aspiration presents with which signs?

• A. Laryngotracheal
• B. Bronchial
• C. Oro-pharyngeal
• D. Esophageal

Answer: (B)

Bronchial foreign body aspiration causes signs of lower airway obstruction on the side of the blockage. On exam you typically find unilateral diminished or absent breath sounds with a localized wheeze or rhonchi over the affected lung. This unilateral pattern reflects the obstruction in one bronchus. Signs of upper airway involvement (such as stridor or hoarseness) or esophageal/oropharyngeal involvement (like drooling or dysphagia) point to other locations, not the bronchus. So the best indicators are unilateral breath sound reduction and localized wheeze on the side of the obstruction.