[Radiological diagnostics for iatrogenic retained foreign bodies after surgery]

Area of Science:

• Radiology
• Surgical Complications
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Retained surgical sponges are infrequent but can lead to aseptic or exudative reactions.
• Symptoms associated with retained sponges are often non-specific and can be delayed.
• Accurate diagnosis is essential to prevent complications and guide appropriate management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the diagnostic utility of various imaging modalities for retained surgical sponges.
• To highlight the role of computed tomography (CT) in identifying foreign bodies.
• To emphasize the need for radiologist expertise in differentiating sponges from other pathologies.

Main Methods:

• Review of imaging modalities for diagnosing retained surgical sponges.
• Focus on computed tomography (CT) as a primary diagnostic tool.
• Discussion of imaging characteristics and differential diagnoses.

Main Results:

• Computed tomography (CT) appears to be the most effective imaging modality for detecting foreign bodies.
• Specific signs for surgical sponges on CT are limited, except for radio-opaque markers.
• Radiologists must differentiate sponges from similar-appearing conditions like abscesses and hematomas.

Conclusions:

• Retained surgical sponges necessitate accurate and timely diagnosis.
• CT is a valuable tool, but interpretation requires significant radiologist experience.
• Distinguishing sponges from mimics like abscesses and hematomas is a key diagnostic challenge.