Bengaluru woman recovers after cloth pin found lodged in lung for a month

In a rare and alarming medical incident, a 55-year-old woman from Bengaluru has made a full recovery after a sharp metallic cloth pin remained embedded in her lung for over a month without detection.

The woman had unknowingly inhaled the pin while shopping, having briefly held it in her mouth while inspecting garments. A sudden sneeze caused the pin to slip into her airway, eventually lodging in the bronchus intermedius — a section of the right lung.

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Despite suffering from a persistent dry cough and wheezing, repeated visits to various hospitals failed to uncover the cause. It was only when doctors at Aster CMI Hospital conducted a detailed evaluation using a chest X-ray and CT scan that the foreign object was identified.

Dr. Sunil Kumar K, Lead Consultant – Interventional Pulmonology at the hospital, said the pin had punctured lung tissue, making extraction complex. The team used a Fogarty balloon catheter to safely dislodge and remove the pin using specialized forceps, all under sedation.

This method allowed for precise maneuvering, minimizing the risk of additional damage to the lung.

The patient has since been discharged and is reportedly in good health with no lingering respiratory issues. Hospital authorities emphasized the need for early diagnosis in unexplained respiratory symptoms and urged caution when handling sharp objects near the mouth.