A migrated knitting needle in a paediatric spine: case report

Area of Science:

• Neurosurgery
• Pediatric Traumatology
• Spinal Cord Injury

Background:

• Penetrating foreign bodies pose a risk to the spinal canal.
• Migration of sharp objects into the central nervous system is a rare but serious complication.
• Prompt management is essential to prevent neurological damage.

Observation:

• A case of a 7-year-old boy with a knitting needle migrating into the spinal canal is presented.
• The migration pathway and intraspinal penetration were assessed using radiological imaging.
• Intraoperative findings confirmed the presence and extent of the foreign body within the spinal canal.

Findings:

• Sharp metallic foreign bodies, such as knitting needles, demonstrate a significant risk of migration into the spinal canal.
• Prompt identification and surgical removal of intraspinal foreign bodies are critical for patient outcomes.
• Even asymptomatic patients require thorough evaluation due to the potential for delayed neurological deficits.

Implications:

• This case highlights the importance of considering spinal canal involvement in pediatric penetrating trauma.
• Early surgical intervention for intraspinal foreign bodies can prevent irreversible neurological damage.
• Guidelines for the management of metallic foreign bodies in the pediatric spine are essential.