Case report: MR appearance of a retained surgical sponge

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T Mochizuki1, Y Takehara, K Ichijo

  • 1Department of Radiology, Seirei Mikatabara General Hospital, Hamamatsu, Japan.

Clinical Radiology
|July 1, 1992
PubMed

Insights

A retained surgical sponge in the retroperitoneum was diagnosed using multiple imaging techniques. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging best visualized the gauze granuloma, aiding diagnosis when radiography or computed tomography (CT) lacked markers.

Area of Science:

  • Radiology
  • Medical Imaging
  • Surgical Complications

Background:

  • Retained surgical sponges, a rare iatrogenic complication, can lead to gauze granulomas.
  • Diagnosis can be challenging, especially when sponges lack radio-opaque markers.

Observation:

  • A case of a retained surgical sponge in the retroperitoneum is presented.
  • Imaging findings from magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, computed tomography (CT), ultrasonography (US), and angiography were analyzed.

Findings:

  • Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging demonstrated a characteristic internal structure of the gauze granuloma.
  • The folded fabric inner structure on T2-weighted MR images was a key diagnostic clue.
  • Plain radiography and CT were less effective when radio-opaque markers were absent.

Implications:

  • MR imaging is crucial for diagnosing retained surgical sponges without radio-opaque markers.
  • Early and accurate diagnosis of iatrogenic masses prevents further complications.
  • This case highlights the importance of advanced imaging in identifying overlooked surgical items.

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