Hidden danger unearthed by Manipal Hospital, Broadway: Metallic Spring removed from young patient’s airway
Kolkata, 16th December 2024: Some mysteries remain hidden until the expert eyes uncover them. For Sufiyan Ali, the 21-year-old young adult from Jamshedpur, his journey to recovery revealed an unusual culprit for his persistent illness and a story of medical expertise. Two years ago, he started experiencing a severe coughing problem that eventually led to bleeding. He sought help from various ENT specialists whose prescribed medications managed to stop the bleeding temporarily. However, every 5-6 months, the coughing would return. Last month, when the cough worsened with occasional fever and loss of weight, he was referred to Manipal Hospital, Broadway where he underwent surgery under the care of Dr Aparna Chatterjee, Associate Consultant, Respiratory Medicine, Manipal Hospital, Broadway. The symptoms perplexed all until a sharp, metallic spring—unnoticed and forgotten—was discovered deeply lodged in his airway, embedded in the left subcarinal area- a space in the chest below where the airway branches and leads to the lungs.
Initially, Bronchoscopy with Endobronchial Ultrasound (EBUS) was planned to investigate suspected tuberculosis based on the patient’s symptoms. This procedure creates detailed images of the inside of the lungs and surrounding areas by sending sound waves. It’s inserted through a bronchoscope (a thin, flexible tube) into the airways; with this procedure, doctors can see and assess tissues surrounding the lungs, such as lymph nodes to diagnose infections or even cancer. After initial X-rays were inconclusive, a High-Resolution CT (HRCT) Thorax scan revealed the presence of a 2 cm long metallic spring.
The patient and his family had no memory of any incident that could explain the foreign body’s presence, leaving the medical team at Manipal Hospital not only to solve a medical puzzle but also to navigate an intricate and highly challenging extraction.
Dr Aparna Chatterjee, Associate Consultant, Respiratory Medicine, Manipal Hospital, Broadway, who led the procedure, remarked, “This was no ordinary case. While foreign bodies migrate to the lung’s lower lobes in typical cases, this object was lodged tangentially in a highly uncommon location that made the traditional removal techniques significantly risky. It required precise angulation and multiple attempts with rat-tooth forceps to dislodge and remove it carefully. We managed to effectively remove and retrieve the metal object after several careful efforts. Minimal bleeding was conservatively managed, always ensuring the patient’s safety.”
Reflecting on the discovery, the patient Sufiyan Ali shared, “I had no idea something like this could happen to me. It was a frightening experience that disrupted my life. Last month, when my symptoms worsened, I was referred to Manipal Hospital, Broadway, where the doctors were able to uncover the actual cause of the persistent bleeding- a needle-like object stuck inside my vent pipe. This foreign object, which had unknowingly caused my suffering for the past two years, was successfully removed, thanks to the expertise of the doctors.”
By the time of his discharge on 28th November 2024, he was stable and free from the issue that had troubled him for so long. However, he has been diagnosed with tuberculosis and is undergoing treatment under the care of Dr. Debraj Jash, Head of Respiratory Medicine, Manipal Hospitals. Mr. Ali will continue to undergo follow-up consultations to monitor his progress, ensuring that his journey back to normal life continues smoothly.
