Uncapped Metered-Dose Inhalers: A Risk for Foreign Body Aspiration. A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Figures & data

Figure 1 Plastic cable clip (left side: top, bottom, and side views) that accidentally got caught in the mouthpiece of the uncapped metered inhaler (right side) and was aspirated into the lung during inhalation.

Figure 2 Use of a pressurized inhaler and aspiration of a plastic cable clip that was accidentally in the mouthpiece of the inhaler before use (Figure 1). The inhaler was stored in the pocket without the cap after it was lost. Depressing the inhaler plunger resulted in the release of the inhalent within high velocity spray, which was inhaled with a deep breath while simultaneously aspirating the plastic cable clip into the lung.