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A foreign body masquerading as a tumour
Julian Frederick Maempel1, Graeme Nicol, Rhys Gareth Ellis Clement
1Department of Trauma & Orthopaedics, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
BMJ Case Reports
|January 25, 2013
Summary
A chronic thigh mass was diagnosed as a Staphylococcus aureus abscess caused by a retained wooden kebab stick. Surgical drainage and foreign body removal led to complete recovery.
Area of Science:
- Orthopaedic Surgery
- Infectious Disease
- Radiology
Background:
- A 29-year-old male presented with a year-long thigh mass, initially suspected as a musculoskeletal tumor.
- The mass caused increasing tightness but no systemic symptoms or history of trauma.
Observation:
- Imaging revealed a fluid-filled intramuscular mass with an echogenic focus suggestive of a foreign body.
- Ultrasound-guided aspiration identified Staphylococcus aureus infection.
Findings:
- The patient recalled sitting on a wooden kebab stick 30 months prior.
- Surgery confirmed a thick-walled abscess containing a wooden foreign body, which was drained.
Implications:
- This case highlights the importance of considering retained foreign bodies in chronic soft tissue masses.
- Delayed diagnosis of foreign body-induced abscesses can mimic tumors, necessitating thorough patient history and targeted investigations.
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