CLEAR PLASTIC CUPS - A CHILDHOOD CHOKING HAZARD

The disposable plastic beverage cup is not usually regarded as hazardo us to young children. Certain varieties of these products, however, ar e manufactured from a brittle, clear plastic that easily cracks and fr agments. While most conscientious parents keep their children safe fro m peanuts, balloons, and other known choking hazards, a child can surr eptitiously bite a cup edge and aspirate the fragment. We report two c ases of foreign body aspiration involving clear plastic cups that went undetected, one of which remained 21 months following a negative rigi d bronchoscopy. Diagnostic difficulties are related to the transparenc y and radiolucency of these objects. When suspicious of foreign body a spiration in children, otolaryngologists should inquire about the avai lability of clear plastic cups in the household and be mindful of the diagnostic pitfalls. Further investigations including CT scanning and repeat bronchoscopy may be helpful in cases of suspected missed foreig n bodies. An educational campaign aimed at prevention and placement of product package warning labels should be established.