A coronavirus swab was found lodged in a woman's airway after it snapped off while being inserted into a breathing tube in her neck, a medical report has revealed.
The 51-year-old had undergone a tracheotomy and was being tested for Covid-19 to allow the patient to be discharged to a nursing home.
While carrying out the test, part of the swab snapped off inside the breathing tube and dropped through the tracheotomy opening.
Initial scans could not find the swab, but medics could see some unusual inflammation in her right lung.
The swab was found lodged in her airway after a camera was inserted into her lung. Doctors removed it by carrying out a bronchoscopy.
The British Medical Journal (BMJ) case report aims to "raise awareness and vigilance" following the incident.
"This case highlights the need for clear guidance on how samples for SARS-CoV-2 are taken from patients with front of neck airways (laryngectomy/tracheοstomy) and the potential pitfalls involved," the report says.
"Patients with front of neck airways, either in the form of a laryngectomy or tracheostomy stoma site, present a challenge in terms of testing for SARS-CoV-2."
Outlining its conclusions, the report states: "The above case highlights the potential dangers of taking a mucosal swab from a trachesotomy site.
"Heightened concerns around SARS-CoV-2 and wearing full personal protective equipment increase the probability of human error occurring.
"There is a need for clear guidance on how to test patients with front of neck airways for SARS-CoV-2."
