Presentation
Pain and swelling at the site of an injury approximately 12 days previously.
Patient Data
Soft tissue swelling in mid foot on dorsal aspect. No bony abnormality.
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.
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.