Kochia Indica Wight - An unusual foreign body of the upper airways in children

Objective: To highlight the special features of an unusual foreign body of the larynx, the seed of kochia indica wight, and discuss its management. Methodology: This prospective study was conducted at the Department of ENT, Khalifa Gul Nawaz Teaching Hospital Bannu, District Headquarter Teaching Hospital, Bannu and this department related consultants’ private clinics from January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2011. The study included 32 cases. All the patients underwent direct laryngoscopy for removal of foreign body. The main indication for direct laryngoscopy was a definite history of foreign body inhalation and acute onset of hoarseness in predisposed children. The results were analyzed using SPSS 16.0 for windows. Results: A total of 32 cases were included in the study. The age range was 5-15 years. There were 14 males and 18 females. All the patients presented with hoarseness of voice and dry irritating cough. Odynophagia was seen in 56.2% cases whereas breathing difficulty was present only in 9.4% of cases. The foreign body was lodged lateral to anterior 1/3rd of the cord in 62.5% followed by lateral to mid cord in 31.2% cases. Conclusion: Kochia indica wight seed is an unusual but a common foreign body of the larynx in the southern districts of Karak Bannu. The diagnosis is easy in the predisposed children. Though it does not change its position in the larynx, yet urgent removal should be undertaken as foreign body in the larynx is potentially a life threatening condition.