A 77-year-old gentleman was admitted in ICU for respiratory arrest secondary to foreign body aspiration while having dinner. Immediately after intubation and connection to mechanical ventilation, a ventilator alert showed peak inspiratory pressure increased. Emergency bronchoscopy was indicated. Bronchoscopy showed an unusual foreign body in the trachea until carina with obstruction at the distal lumen of the endotracheal tube (Fig. 1a and b). A 2.4mm cryoprobe was inserted through bronchoscope working channel. After several unsuccessful attempts to remove it through the 9mm endotracheal tube, the foreign body was moved up to the subglottic region attached to cryoprobe (Video). Direct laryngoscopy was then performed showing a foreign body (beef) under the vocal cords and hanging in the subglottic region. The “beef” (about 70 whole grams) (Fig. 2) was successfully removed with Magill's forceps. The patient was extubated and discharged from hospital 48h later fully recovered.

Figure 1

(0.24MB).

Figure 2

(0.07MB).