A rare case of retained metallic foreign body in liver: case report and review of literature

Introduction and importance

Foreign bodies in the liver are uncommon but can lead to severe conditions like liver abscess and sepsis. They typically enter through direct penetration, migration from the gastrointestinal tract, or through the blood. Common foreign objects include metal pins, or sewing needles swallowed accidentally.

Case presentation

A 25-year-old male presented to our OPD with pain over the right abdomen with a prior history of projectile injury causing laceration over the right anterior abdomen with primary suturing. On radiological investigation, a retained foreign body was revealed. The metallic foreign body was embedded in the liver for 5 months. Removal of the foreign body was performed without any complications.

Clinical discussion

Intrahepatic foreign bodies (FBs) in the liver can result from penetrating injuries, iatrogenic causes, or ingestion, particularly in children. Clinical presentations vary, and complications such as abscess formation may occur. Diagnosis involves imaging modalities like X-rays, ultrasonography, and computed tomography (CT) scans. The presented case highlights the importance of meticulous follow-up, as chronic pain manifested despite conservative management. The management of intrahepatic FBs depends on factors like size, location, and symptoms, with conservative approaches for stable patients. Surgical removal remains the mainstay of the treatment. Long-term monitoring is crucial to detect potential complications, and imaging studies play a key role in regular follow-up.

Conclusion

Hepatic foreign bodies are rare, and symptoms vary based on size, type, and location, ranging from asymptomatic to complications such as abscess formation. Surgical removal is the main treatment, but in cases of noncomplicated hepatic foreign bodies, close follow-up is necessary.

Non-surgical Management of a Malecot Tube Migrating From a Small Bowel Fistula

Foreign bodies are encountered relatively often within the practice of general surgery. We present a unique case of a rubber, self-retaining, radiopaque "mushroom-tip" Malecot tube placed for fistula drainage control due to an enterocutaneous fistula (ECF) that became a gastrointestinal foreign body.  A 24-year-old male presented in shock with gunshot wounds to his right chest and right upper abdomen to a Level I trauma center. He required a prolonged hospital stay with additional urological and thoracic procedures and an interventional radiology procedure for hepatic pseudoaneurysm and subsequently developed an ECF. The patient was discharged to a rehabilitation facility with a wound management system (WMS) for ECF drainage but returned to the clinic with chemical burns and skin excoriation due to poorly controlled output and suboptimal WMS fit. A better fitting WMS was employed and a 20-French Malecot catheter was placed to assist with drainage control. The patient later returned with abdominal pain reporting the Malecot advanced forward spontaneously and was not externally visible. CT scan revealed the Malecot across the prior ileocolic anastomosis. After considering potential treatment options, we initially proceeded with aggressive bowel stimulation, and saline enemas hoping the tube would pass through his colostomy. He was discharged and the catheter passed at home a few days later via the stoma. Gastroenterological literature recommends invasive management for sharp, corrosive, or elongated foreign bodies exceeding 6cm in length. This unusual case demonstrates a 30-centimeter (cm) blunt object passing through the small bowel and colon in the absence of an ileocecal valve.

Retained stone retrieval basket causing chronic pancreatitis: a case report

Background

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography is a common procedure performed for choledocholithiasis and gallstone pancreatitis. Although a relatively low risk procedure, it is not without its complications. Cases of impacted Dormia baskets during stone retrieval have been reported, but these are usually retrieved surgically during the same setting.

Case summary

A 40-year-old man presented to our hospital with an episode of epigastric pain and discomfort. He has a prior background of recurrent episodes of pancreatitis of which he underwent prior endoscopic therapy in his home country. Initial investigations revealed a metallic object seen on abdominal x-ray, computer tomographic scan of the abdomen and pelvis, and magnetic resonance imaging of the pancreas. Further evaluation was done with endoscopy, which revealed a retained stone extraction basket from a previous endoscopic retrograde pancreatography, resulting in recurrent episodes of acute chronic pancreatitis. Although the retained foreign body was removed, he subsequently developed further complications of portal vein thrombosis as a result of recurrent acute chronic pancreatitis, which required anticoagulation.

Conclusion

This case highlights the importance of retrieving any foreign body from the pancreas, especially on the head, to prevent the development of further complications.

Direct withdrawal of a retained foreign body bisecting the thoracic spinal canal in a neurologically intact pediatric patient: illustrative case

BACKGROUND

Nonmissile penetrating spinal cord injury (NMPSCI) with a retained foreign body (RFB) is rare and usually results in permanent neurological deficits. In extremely rare cases, patients can present without significant neurological deficits despite an RFB that traverses the spinal canal. Given the rarity of these cases, a consensus has not yet been reached on optimal management. In a patient with an RFB and a neurologically normal clinical examination, the risk of open surgical exploration may outweigh the benefit and direct withdrawal may be a better option.

OBSERVATIONS

A 10-year-old female suffered an NMPSCI to the thoracic spine with an RFB that bisected the spinal canal but remained neurologically intact. Direct withdrawal of the RFB was chosen instead of open surgical exploration, leading to an excellent clinical outcome. The literature was reviewed to find other examples of thoracic NMPSCI with RFB and neurologically normal examinations. Management strategies were compared.

LESSONS

For NMPSCI with RFB and without significant neurological deficits, direct withdrawal is a viable and possibly the best treatment option. The use of fast-acting anesthesia without intubation minimizes patient manipulation, speeds up recovery, and allows early assessment of neurological status after removal.

A retained foreign body in a jejunal diverticulum

Retained foreign bodies in small bowel diverticula are a rare occurrence. Batteries and battery containing products can cause bowel perforation, and when retained in diverticula, retrieval methods may need to be considered. We present a novel case of a hearing aid powered by lithium battery getting stuck in a jejunal diverticulum, and outline an approach to retrieval.

[The curious case of a cardiac mass : A case report]

BACKGROUND

Retained foreign bodies are dreadful events associated with invasive procedures. Their occurrence implicate physical complications as well as serious professional and medico-legal consequences. Cases of retained surgical items, in the pericardial space, following cardiothoracic surgery are rare and their management is delicate as the risks of their removal must be thoroughly weighed against the complications of leaving them inside the chest.

CASE PRESENTATION

We report the case of a retained foreign body, discovered in an asymptomatic patient, on a routine medical check-up, 4 years after cardiac surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

Clinical and paraclinical manifestations of retained surgical foreign bodies are nonspecific. The progress of cardiac imaging means makes it possible to identify these rare foreign bodies with greater precision, and allows, with extreme caution, to monitor patients who are perfectly asymptomatic and who are reluctant to undergo surgery.

Maxillary sinusitis caused by retained dental impression material: An unusual case report and literature review

Surgical procedures in posterior area of maxillary might cause an oroantral communication and iatrogenic sinusitis. An undetected oroantral communication can cause the penetration of foreign bodies, such as dental impression materials, in the maxillary sinus, thereby contributing to persistent sinusitis. Given the occurrence of a very rare clinical and medicolegal case of persistent and drug-resistant sinusitis due to radiologically undetected fragments of silicone paste for dental impression in the maxillary antrum, a literature review was pursued through sensitive keywords in relevant databases for health sciences. All retrieved articles were considered and data about the kind of impression materials thrusted into the maxillary sinus, the diagnostic issues, the reported range of symptoms, and the occurrence of medicolegal issues were analyzed. The diagnosis resulted to be quite challenging and belatedly especially in case of healed oroantral communication and when the material retained in the maxillary sinus has similar radiodensity compared to the surrounding normal or inflammatory tissues. The case was then discussed in comparison with the reviewed literature for both clinical and medicolegal issues. Hints were provided to professionals to face the challenging diagnosis in similar rare cases and to avoid the possible related litigation.

Gossypiboma mistaken for a hydatid cyst: case report

Although considered a rare complication, gossypiboma continues to be a clinically important and probably more frequently encountered than reported situation. This study aimed to report a case of gossypiboma that was mistaken for a hydatid cyst in the preoperative evaluation. A 34-year-old male patient with a history of Nissen Fundoplication presented with a large mass palpable in the epigastrium and both the left upper and lower quadrants of the abdomen. Computerized tomography was reported to show a 20x18 cm cystic mass with a collapsed germinative membrane inside it. Laparotomy, which was performed with a suggested diagnosis of type 3 hydatid cyst, revealed that the mass was caused by a 30x30 cm surgical abdominal compress. We believe gossypiboma should be kept in mind in the differential diagnosis of abdominal hydatid cysts in the presence of a former abdominal operation, especially when the result of indirect hemagglutination test is negative.

Intraoperative Sentinel Events in the Era of Surgical Safety Checklists: Results of a National Survey

OBJECTIVE

Despite the implementation of advanced health care safety systems including checklists, preventable perioperative sentinel events continue to occur and cause patient harm, disability, and death. We report on findings relating to otolaryngology practices with surgical safety checklists, the scope of intraoperative sentinel events, and institutional and personal response to these events.

STUDY DESIGN

Survey study.

SETTING

Anonymous online survey of otolaryngologists.

METHODS

Members of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery were asked about intraoperative sentinel events, surgical safety checklist practices, fire safety, and the response to patient safety events.

RESULTS

In total, 543 otolaryngologists responded to the survey (response rate 4.9% = 543/11,188). The use of surgical safety checklists was reported by 511 (98.6%) respondents. At least 1 patient safety event in the past 10 years was reported by 131 (25.2%) respondents; medication errors were the most commonly reported (66 [12.7%] respondents). Wrong site/patient/procedure events were reported by 38 (7.3%) respondents, retained surgical items by 33 (6.4%), and operating room fire by 18 (3.5%). Although 414 (79.9%) respondents felt that time-outs before the case have been the single most impactful checklist component to prevent serious patient safety events, several respondents also voiced frustrations with the administrative burden.

CONCLUSION

Surgical safety checklists are widely used in otolaryngology and are generally acknowledged as the most effective intervention to reduce patient safety events; nonetheless, intraoperative sentinel events do continue to occur. Understanding the scope, causes, and response to these events may help to prioritize resources to guide quality improvement initiatives in surgical safety practices.

Fluoroscopic-assisted laparoscopic retrieval of retained glucose sensor wire from the omentum

We describe a case in which retained wires from a continuous glucose monitor were removed from the abdominal wall and peritoneum of a 6-year-old boy. We highlight a concern for continuous glucose monitor use in children and discuss surgical techniques used to retrieve tiny, mobile objects from complex body cavities.

Late Presentation of a Retained Stingray Spine in the Plantar Medial Hindfoot

In the United States, approximately 2000 stingray injuries occur annually. The majority of reports on stingray injuries to the foot and ankle reflect acute injuries. Delayed presentation after stingray injury to the foot and ankle has not been reported. We present a case of a 29-year-old female who sustained a stingray injury to the left plantar medial hindfoot 14 months prior to presenting to our clinic with new-onset posteromedial ankle redness and swelling along the tarsal tunnel. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed multiple linear foreign bodies at the quadratus plantae and tarsal tunnel. The patient underwent operative exploration with removal of multiple retained stingray spines. At her most recent follow-up at 3 months, she was able to resume her usual activities.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level V, case report.

Entrapment of a metal foreign body in the cervical spinal canal during surgical procedure: A case report

RATIONALE

Retention of foreign objects in spinal canal usually results from penetrating spinal trauma or failed internal instruments. However, entrapment of a foreign body in cervical spinal canal during surgery is rare, and whether such an object may cause neurological complications remains unknown in literature.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 50-year-old man underwent C5 corpectomy and instrumentation surgery due to cervical myelopathy. During the surgery, the cutting edge of a Kerrison rongeur was broken and the metal tip was retained behind C4 vertebra.

DIAGNOSIS

Retention of foreign body in the cervical spinal canal.

INTERVENTIONS

To remove the metal object, multiple strategies were tried but all failed. As such a metal object was thought to be dangerous to the spinal cord, a remedy C4 corpectomy was performed to remove it. Accidentally, however, the metal fragment further migrated to C2/3 canal. At last, the metal fragment had to be retained in the cervical spinal canal.

OUTCOMES

At 2-year follow-up, the metal fragment remained in situ and no delayed complications occurred.

LESSONS

We reported a rare case of metal object retention in cervical spinal canal due to rongeur fatigue fractures. Under certain circumstances, retention of a small foreign object in spinal canal may not lead to neurological complications. If failed to remove an entrapped foreign body, it may be safe to leave it in the spinal canal for further observation.

Spinal Cord Stimulator Electrode Dislodging into the Ligamentum Flavum: A Case Report

To date, no case studies specifically reporting an electrode dislodging from its lead wire have been reported. Here we describe a case involving an electrode shearing from the spinal cord stimulator lead, and lodging into the ligamentum flavum during implantation. In this case, an experienced board certified interventional pain management specialist was performing the implantation procedure of a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) compatible spinal cord stimulator with MR conditional leads. After successful placement of the first lead, the epidural space was accessed via a T11/12 interlaminar approach using loss of resistance technique. When the lead would not advance past the tip of the needle, it was removed in order to reposition the needle slightly. Upon removal of the lead, it was discovered that the first electrode was no longer attached to the wire. Subsequent fluoroscopic imaging revealed that the electrode had lodged within the ligamentum flavum. Upon discussion with the medical director of the device company, it was agreed upon that the electrode should be left in place. The decision was made to proceed with only one lead in place and the remainder of the procedure was completed uneventfully. The patient followed up two weeks later in clinic, and no adverse effect related to the dislodged electrode was reported. The indications and common complications associated with spinal cord stimulation are discussed, followed by factors to consider to help guide decision making in the event of a retained foreign body during a procedure.

Detection of Retained Foreign Objects in Upper Extremity Surgical Procedures With Incisions of Two Centimeters or Smaller

BACKGROUND

While the true incidence of retained foreign bodies after surgery is unknown, it has been approximated at 1:5,500 operations overall, with substantially less frequency in hand and upper extremity procedures. Despite the rarity of foreign body retention in hand and upper extremity surgery, universal radiofrequency scanning for electronically-tagged sponges and automatic radiographic evaluation for incorrect sponge counts are employed for all surgical procedures at our institution. We demonstrate the infeasibility of retaining an operative sponge of a standard size in commonly performed hand and upper extremity procedures with incision sizes of two centimeters or less, and establish that visual detection of sponges in these cases is adequate.

METHODS

Eighteen trigger finger releases, five carpal tunnel releases, three trigger thumb releases, and three de Quervain's tenosynovitis releases were successfully performed upon five cadaveric specimens by residents under supervision of fellowship-trained hand surgeons for a total of 29 two-centimeter or smaller incisions. Randomized surgical sponge placement was evaluated by a blinded observer at two distances and incision sizes were quantified. Kappa values were calculated to determine the acuity of visual detection versus the actual presence of a sponge.

RESULTS

The maximum length of the standard surgical sponge that could be contained within an incision was three centimeters. When compared with the gold standard (whether the sponge had been placed or not by the operating resident), the placement of a standard surgical sponge could be detected correctly in 100% of cases at both "across the room" and "at the table" distances, for kappa values of 1.0 and 1.0 respectively. This did not vary with incision size or surgical procedure.

CONCLUSIONS

The added cost and time from radiofrequency detection of retained sponges and radiographic evaluation in the event of incorrect sponge counts can be safely eliminated if sponges can be reliably visually detected.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

This cadaveric study informs patient safety practices by demonstrating that visual detection of surgical sponges is adequate for certain upper extremity procedures.

Penetrating thoracic injury with retained foreign body: can video-assisted thoracic surgery take up the leading role in acute management?

Video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) is widely adopted in acute management of patient with thoracic trauma, but its use in penetrating thoracic injuries with retained foreign bodies were rarely reported. We described three of such cases using VATS as the first line approach. Identification of injuries, control of bleeders, clot evacuation, resection of damaged lung parenchyma and safe retrieval of foreign bodies were all performed via complete VATS within short operative time. Patient were uneventfully discharged during early post-operative period. We suggest that, for haemodynamically stable patients, VATS offers a safe and minimally-invasive alternative to conventional thoracotomy for penetrating thoracic injury with retained foreign bodies.

Delayed myelopathy secondary to stab wound with a retained blade tip within the laminae: case report

Delayed neurologic deficit after a stab wound with a retained foreign body near the spinal canal is unusual, adequate radiological examination is fundamental in detecting retained foreign bodies, especially the CT scan, surgical extraction of the foreign body is the primary task and the surgical outcome is satisfactory. Here, we report a rare case of delayed myelopathy caused by spinal stenosis secondary to broken blade tip within thoracic laminae in an old man, who was injured in a knife attack 39 years ago. The incidence, clinical presentation, diagnosis and prognosis are discussed.

Retained surgical sponge mimicking GIST: Laparoscopic diagnosis and removal 34 years after original surgery

The term gossypiboma denotes a cotton foreign body retained inside the patient during surgery, a rare surgical complication. The symptoms following this entity are non-specific, such as pain, palpable mass and fever, which make clinical diagnosis difficult. The computerized tomography (CT) scan is the most useful method for diagnosis; however, sometimes the preoperative diagnosis remains uncertain even after the imaging exam. In that case, laparoscopy arises as a valuable diagnostic tool, as well as a prompt treatment option. However, when diagnosis is made years after the original surgery, the laparoscopic approach becomes harder. Our patient presented without clear symptoms, remaining asymptomatic for 34 years. The CT scan presumptive diagnosis was a gastrointestinal stromal tumour, and laparoscopy was performed providing an accurate diagnosis and treatment in the same surgical time.

Gossypiboma, a rare cause of acute abdomen: A case report and review of literature

Gossypiboma or textiloma is used to describe a retained surgical swab in the body after an operation. Inadvertent retention of a foreign body in the abdomen often requires another surgery. This increases morbidity and mortality of the patient, cost of treatment, and medicolegal problems. We are reporting case of a 45-year-old woman who was referred from periphery with acute pain in abdomen. She had a surgical history of abdominal hysterectomy 3 years back, performed at another hospital. On clinical examination and investigation, twisted ovarian cyst was suspected. That is a cystic mass further confirmed by abdominal computerized tomography (CT). During laparotomy, the cyst wall was opened incidentally which lead to the drainage of a large amount of dense pus. In between pus, there was found retained surgical gauze that confirmed the diagnosis of gossypiboma.

Pulsatile lavage irrigator tip, a rare radiolucent retained foreign body in the pelvis: a case report

Retained foreign bodies after surgery have the potential to cause serious medical complications for patients and bring fourth serious medico-legal consequences for surgeons and hospitals. Standard operating room protocols have been adopted to reduce the occurrence of the most common retained foreign bodies. Despite these precautions, radiolucent objects and uncounted components/pieces of instruments are at risk to be retained in the surgical wound. We report the unusual case of a retained plastic pulsatile lavage irrigator tip in the surgical wound during acetabulum fracture fixation, which was subsequently identified on routine postoperative computed tomography. Revision surgery was required in order to remove the retained object, and the patient had no further complications.