Atypical Presentation of Pill Aspiration in Older Adults with Dysphagia: A Picture Not To Be Forgotten

Nonconventional clinical presentations of diseases are common in older adults. Even dramatic events, such as foreign body (FB) inhalation, can occur in a subtle and non-specific manner. Pill aspiration is a rare yet overlooked cause of airway injury. It accounts for approximately 7% of all FB aspirations. In contrast, oral dysphagia and polypharmacology, mainly administrated in solid oral dosage forms (SDOF), like tablets and pills, are common conditions in older adults. Herein, we present a case of SDOF aspiration in a 78-year-old man. FB inhalation developed with general clinical deterioration and neurological impairment (delirium) rather than overt respiratory symp-toms. Bronchoscopy provided remarkable images of this unexpected finding. Caregivers and healthcare workers must be aware of the risk of SDOF aspiration and adopt proper safety mea-sures. Early recognition and bronchoscopy for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes can be life-saving in such cases.