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Unusual sequela from a pencil stab wound reveals a retained graphite foreign body
Iris A Seitz1, Bradley A Silva, Loren S Schechter
1From the *University Plastic Surgery, Affiliated With †Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, IL.
Insights
Penetrating pencil-tip injuries in children are common. Early detection and removal of embedded fragments are crucial to prevent complications and misdiagnoses.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Emergency Medicine
- Ophthalmology
- Foreign Body Removal
Background:
- Penetrating pencil-tip injuries are frequent in pediatric patients.
- Most injuries resolve without long-term issues.
- Undetected fragments can lead to complications.
Observation:
- A 10-year-old boy presented with a pencil-tip injury to the chin.
- Initial emergency department care included wound irrigation and closure.
- The patient returned with purulent drainage from the wound site.
Findings:
- Radiographic imaging revealed an embedded pencil fragment.
- Surgical intervention was necessary for foreign body removal.
- Delayed diagnosis of the fragment caused increased morbidity.
Implications:
- Highlights the importance of thorough evaluation for embedded foreign bodies.
- Emphasizes the need for advanced imaging when retained fragments are suspected.
- Underscores potential for serious complications from seemingly minor injuries.
Abstract:
Penetrating pencil-tip injuries are common among children and usually resolve without long-term sequelae. However, failure to detect and remove embedded pencil fragments can result in increased morbidity or misdiagnoses of other, more serious, conditions. We report on the case of a 10-year-old boy stabbed with a pencil on his right chin. Initial treatment in the emergency department included irrigation and closure of the laceration. Following suture removal, the patient returned to the emergency department (with bright-purple drainage from the wound site). Radiographic evaluation led to the discovery of an embedded foreign body requiring surgical removal.
