Discussion Author(s): Aaron Jackson, MSC, USA; COL Les Folio,
USAF, MC, SFS Lesions/Condition: Sand Aspiration Synonyms:
Gravel Aspiration, Silt Aspiration Associations/Predisposing
Factors: Blast injury, Drowning, Near Drowning The presentation
of sand aspiration is highly variable. Certainly, sand visible
within the oral cavity, oropharynx, or nasal passages can be
indicative of sand aspiration in the correct clinical context.
Clinical presentation can range from rapid death due to total
occlusion of the airway and subsequent anoxic death to a
spectrum of dyspnea, cough, and variable obstructive
symptoms.1-4 In the past, the focus of reported radiographic
imaging in sand aspiration has been on chest x-ray. Findings on
chest roentgenograms may be highly variable, however Bonilla-
Santiago described a characteristic â€śsand bronchogramâ€ť in
two patients suffering from sand aspiration.2 Both of these
patients exhibited particulate matter filling the bronchial tree
as evidenced by radiodense material lining the