{
  "abstract": "Foreign body aspiration is a potentially life-threatening paediatric emergency, particularly in infants, and may initially present with subtle, non-specific clinical and radiological features, making early diagnosis challenging. Aspiration of a wheat head (spikelet) is exceedingly rare and has predominantly been reported in children from rural settings. We report a 7-month-old boy who presented with cough, noisy and fast breathing for 4 days following accidental aspiration of an unknown substance. Examination revealed tachypnoea, tachycardia, bilateral subcostal retractions, wheezing and decreased air entry in the right basal region. The chest radiograph was unremarkable, while the CT thorax demonstrated an elongated foreign body in the trachea extending into the right main bronchus. On rigid bronchoscopy, a wheat head was identified in the trachea, and retrieval was done with optical grasping forceps in multiple attempts due to its fragile nature, leading to repeated fragmentations. The child required short-term mechanical ventilation, from which he was gradually weaned off, extubated and discharged in stable condition after 3 days.Wheat head aspiration poses diagnostic challenges due to normal radiographs and delayed symptoms. A high index of suspicion, early imaging and prompt bronchoscopic removal are essential for successful management and prevention of complications.",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "AIIMS Rishikesh, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India"
      ],
      "name": "Himanshu Menghwani"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "AIIMS Rishikesh, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India"
      ],
      "name": "Enono Yhoshu"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "AIIMS Rishikesh, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India"
      ],
      "name": "Satya Sree Balija"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Wheat head aspiration in an infant",
  "uid": "24cce149-a66e-5262-8e76-afc9663103b2"
}