A seven-year-old boy in Greece was placed in serious danger after accidentally swallowing a small metal spring from a mechanical eraser, which became lodged in his right lung instead of reaching his stomach, doctors have confirmed.
The incident occurred while the child was studying at home, when he reportedly disassembled the eraser mechanism and placed the spring in his mouth. He soon developed a strong coughing fit and mild breathing difficulties, prompting his parents to take him to hospital.
Medical staff initially suspected that the object had been swallowed and would pass into the digestive system. However, an X-ray revealed a far more serious situation: the 12-millimetre-long spring had entered the respiratory tract and become stuck in the main bronchus of the right lung.
A surgeon carried out a 15-minute rigid bronchoscopy procedure to safely remove the object. Doctors confirmed that the spring was extracted without complications or damage to the airway. The child remained under observation for a few hours before being discharged in good health.
How the foreign object reached the lung
According to the treating physician, the boy had been playing with the dismantled eraser when he accidentally inhaled the spring. Medical experts noted that in such cases, small objects can either enter the digestive system or, more dangerously, be aspirated into the lungs.
Warning signs for parents
Doctors stress that aspiration incidents in children often follow a typical pattern. An initial episode of violent coughing may subside, leading parents to believe the object has been swallowed safely. However, if it enters the lungs, symptoms can reappear or worsen later.
Warning signs include wheezing, uneven breathing sounds between the left and right side of the chest, and a persistent dry cough that does not respond to usual treatments.
If a foreign object is suspected, immediate medical attention is essential. Diagnosis is typically confirmed with an X-ray, followed by removal under general anesthesia if necessary. In most cases, doctors perform a rigid bronchoscopy, using a specialized tube and camera to locate and extract the object.
