Learning objectives
To describe the imaging characteristics and pitfalls of accidentally detected foreign bodiesin emergency radiology,
using different imaging modalities (conventional radiography,
CT,
US and MR).
Background
The term "foreign body" defines the presence,
within the organism,
of one or more objects originating outside the body.
Their placement within organism may be more or less voluntary (i.e.
following accidents or in psychiatric patients) or may be the consequence of dislocation of medical-surgical devices (i.e.
prostheses,
vertebral stabilizers).
Therefore,
an exhaustive anamnesis is crucial.
In order to detect foreign bodies,
almost all imaging modalities can be adopted (from conventional plain radiographs to CT,
ultrasound to,
in selected cases,
MRI).
With different levels of...
Findings and procedure details
The most frequent sites of localization of foreign bodies are: rectum,
vagina,
upper airways (i.e.
in case of aspiration),
digestive tract (ingestion) or the soft tissues.
Visualization of a foreign body in different imaging modality depends on the position,
composition and size of the object itself.
Correct identification of a possible foreign body and its location plays a crucial role since they can be burdened by complications such as infection,
inflammation and severe pain.
Although the vast majority of objects ingested or inserted through a...
Conclusion
The role of the radiologist is crucial in the detection and description of a foreign body,
by using almost all the imaging techniques,
describing its location and characteristics,
and to provide useful information about its possible removal.
References
1. M H Aras,O Miloglu,C Barutcugil,M Kantarci,E Ozcan,
andA HarorliComparison of the sensitivity for detecting foreign bodies among conventional plain radiography,
computed tomography and ultrasonography 2010 The British Institute of Radiology
2. Gabriela Gayer,
Ivan Petrovitch,
R.
Brooke Jeffrey.
Foreign Objects Encountered in the Abdominal Cavity at CT (2011) RadioGraphics 2011; 31:409–428
3. Tim B.
Hunter,
Mihra S.
Taljanovic,
Foreign Bodies (2003) Radiographics 3:731–757
4. JacobsonJA,PowellA,CraigJG,BouffardJA,van HolsbeeckMT.Wooden foreign bodies in soft tissue: detection at US.Radiology1998;206:45–48
5. EggersG,MukhamadievD,HassfeldS.Detection of foreign bodies of the head with digital...