Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39991343›Full record

ArticleCureus2025

Missed Foreign Body Aspiration: Fentanyl Patch Leading to Severe Pneumonia and Empyema.

Mena Louis, Rafael Tapia, Nathaniel Grabill, Navneeth Bongu, Hardeep Singh, J Clifton Hastings

Abstract readCase Reports
In one paragraph

Article in Cureus, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Mena LouisGeneral Surgery, Northeast Georgia Medical Center Gainesville, Gainesville, USA.
Rafael TapiaSurgery, Northeast Georgia Medical Center Gainesville, Gainesville, USA.
Nathaniel GrabillSurgery, Northeast Georgia Medical Center Gainesville, Gainesville, USA.
Navneeth BonguPulmonary and Critical Care, Northeast Georgia Medical Center Gainesville, Gainesville, USA.
Hardeep SinghResearch, Northeast Georgia Medical Center Gainesville, Gainesville, USA.
J Clifton HastingsCardiothoracic Surgery, Northeast Georgia Medical Center Gainesville, Gainesville, USA.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Empyema, defined as a purulent pleural effusion within the pleural cavity, typically results from severe infections and presents significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. This case report details the intricate clinical journey of a 44-year-old male with a complex medical history, including chronic substance abuse, significant tobacco use, and untreated hepatitis C, who presented with acute respiratory failure, hypoxia, and right-sided chest pain. Despite initial management with antibiotics and chest tube drainage, the patient's condition necessitated advanced surgical intervention due to persistent sanguineous output. A right thoracoscopy converted to open thoracotomy with decortication was performed due to dense adhesions. Intraoperatively, bronchoscopy revealed a hidden fentanyl patch in the right lower lobe, which was removed, leading to a significant release of purulent material and marked improvement in the patient's condition. Postoperatively, the patient steadily recovered with decreased oxygen requirements and improved ambulation. However, he developed acute tubular necrosis, likely due to nephrotoxic medications, which was managed appropriately. The patient was discharged with instructions for pulmonary function tests and lifestyle modifications, including cessation of tobacco use. This case emphasizes the importance of considering foreign body aspiration in patients with persistent or unexplained pulmonary symptoms, especially those with a history of substance abuse or unexplained recurrent respiratory infections. The multidisciplinary approach, comprehensive diagnostics, and collaborative care were pivotal in achieving a successful outcome, offering valuable insights for similar future cases.

Indexed as

bronchoscopychronic substance abuseempyemafentanyl patchforeign body aspirationpleural effusion

Identifiers

PMID39991343
PMCPMC11847619

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.