Vadodara Doctors Stunned as Toddler's 'Pneumonia' Reveals LED Bulb in Lung
In a startling medical case, doctors at a Vadodara hospital in Gujarat were left astounded when a routine chest X-ray of a one-year-old boy uncovered an LED bulb lodged deep within his airway. The foreign object had been completely blocking the right lung, which was described as being "on the verge of collapse", highlighting a critical and rare emergency.
Prolonged Symptoms Lead to Shocking Discovery
The parents of the toddler, hailing from Malsar village in Anand district, had initially sought medical help for their child's persistent cold, cough, and fever, which had lingered unresolved for nearly two months. During this period, the boy was treated for pneumonia at multiple private hospitals, yet his symptoms showed little improvement. Concerned by the lack of progress, the family brought him to the paediatric department of GMERS Gotri hospital in Vadodara for further evaluation.
Upon referral to the ENT department, a detailed chest X-ray revealed a foreign body obstructing the right bronchus—the airway connecting the windpipe to the lung. Dr. Hiren Soni, Head of the ENT Department at GMERS Vadodara, explained, "The child had been suffering from continuous fever, cough, and cold for over a month and a half, with initial treatments proving ineffective. This prompted us to conduct advanced imaging, which led to the unexpected finding."
Emergency Surgery Prevents Catastrophic Outcome
The discovery triggered an immediate surgical intervention. On February 5, doctors performed a bronchoscopy under general anaesthesia—a delicate procedure involving a bronchoscope inserted through the throat to grasp and remove the object. Dr. Soni detailed the challenges: "The LED bulb, measuring about 1cm in breadth, had become deeply embedded in the tissues after more than a month inside the body. We could only see one pin of the bulb, and the removal had to be completed in under a minute to avoid damaging the windpipe, all while the anaesthetist ensured stable oxygen flow."
Using advanced instruments, the team successfully extracted the bulb. Post-surgery, the child was monitored in the ICU, where his condition gradually stabilised. Dr. Soni noted, "Air entry into the lower right lung improved significantly, and with necessary medications and supportive care, the child showed marked clinical recovery and symptom reduction."
Doctors Issue Warning on Child Safety and Timely Diagnosis
This incident underscores the dangers of young children swallowing foreign objects when unsupervised. Dr. Soni emphasised the importance of prompt medical attention to prevent severe complications. "Timely diagnosis, bronchoscopic intervention, and ICU care were crucial in saving this child's life. It serves as a rare but vital reminder for parents to vigilantly monitor small items around infants," he added.
The case, occurring in Vadodara, highlights how such emergencies can arise from everyday household items, urging greater awareness in child safety practices.
