What is the primary method for diagnosing foreign body aspiration?

The primary method for diagnosing foreign body aspiration is bronchoscopy. This procedure allows for direct visualization of the airway and enables the clinician to see and potentially retrieve the foreign object. It is especially beneficial because some foreign bodies may not be easily identified on imaging studies like X-rays or CT scans, and bronchoscopy provides a definitive diagnosis as well as therapeutic intervention.

In cases of suspected foreign body aspiration, immediate action is critical. While X-rays and CT scans can sometimes help identify radio-opaque objects and larger airway obstructions, they may not detect all foreign bodies, particularly those that are small or made of materials that do not typically show up on these imaging studies. MRI is not routinely used for this purpose, as it is not as effective for visualizing the airways compared to bronchoscopy.