Purpose
Foreign bodies (FBs) can seldom be identified and removed on the basis of clinicalexamination alone,
and usually only when in a superficial location.
Otherwise,
imaging techniques are required to identify the FB and establish its exactlocation prior attempting surgical removal.
The surgical removal of FBs is invasive,
costly and technically challenging.
In some cases it can fail and complications may occur.
Our study describes a technique for the ultrasound-guided removal of FBs devised fromour experience and,
if tendons,
nerves and vascular lesions are excluded,
it...
Methods and Materials
From October 2005 to January 2018 we enrolled in our Hospital,
323 patients (aged from9 to 79 years,
median age 43 years) with clinical suspect of foreign bodies located inthe soft tissues.
All patients had traditional radiograms and ultrasound investigation.
The diagnosis in 55.7% of cases (195/348) was made in the acutephase,
immediately after the trauma.
In 153/348 patients (44.3%) the time interval between the traumatic event and thediagnosis was variable between a minimum of 4 days to a maximum of 2 years,
with anaverage...
Results
On our study sample of 323 patients,
348 FB of different nature were identified: 134/348 metallic FBs,
98/348 glassy FBs,
95/348 vegetable FBs,
19/348 mineral FBs (stone) and 2/348 plastic FBs.
FBs showed variable sizes,
from less than 2 mm to 25 mm,
located in different body districts,
with greater frequency at the distal end of the upper limb (hand and fingers) and the distal end of the lower limb (leg and foot).
The FBs were successfully removed from all patients under ultrasound guidance and...
Conclusion
Ultrasound-guided removal of an FB retained in the soft tissues is a valid alternative to surgery as is its relatively straightforward,
inexpensive,
repeatable and carries a low risk of complications.
Therefore,
surgery plays a secondary role,
only in the presence of lesions of noble structures.
References
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The surgical...
