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Abstract
Inhalation of foreign bodies is relatively frequent in children, but exceptional in
adults. Various kinds of foreign bodies can be inhaled, the type generally depends
on eating habits in adults. We reviewed a series of 50 consecutive cases of inhaled
foreign bodies and found that naseberry fruits (Sapodilla plum) was the primary cause,
followed by bone debris. This series is typical of Eastern Asia, particularly South
Vietnam. Most of the foreign bodies were extracted under local anesthesia using fibroscopy
with a foreign body forceps. Most of the foreign bodies were on the right side. The
naseberry nut is not radio-opaque, so diagnosis was generally established late after
infectious complications. The endoscopic aspect was typical and should be recognized
by endoscopists working in Vietnam.