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Foreign body in foot

Case contributed by Maulik S Patel
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Pain and swelling at the site of an injury approximately 12 days previously.

Patient Data

Age: 35 years
Gender: Male
x-ray

Soft tissue swelling in mid foot on dorsal aspect. No bony abnormality.

ultrasound

An echogenic linear focus (at least 13 mm length) is noted in the first intermetatarsal space. It is oriented obliquely in the antero-posterior plane. It is located about 10 mm distal to dorsalis pedis artery. No arterial occlusion is noted. Surrounding hypoechoic area is noted - granulation.

No erosion of 1st / 2nd metatarsal anterior cortex is noted.

Photo

Photograph of wood splinter - foreign body.

Case Discussion

Ultrasound can be used to visualize some materials such as wood that are radiolucent, and therefore not seen well on X-rays.

Foreign body surgically removed.

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