Intrathoracic gossypiboma: magnetic resonance features

Gossypiboma, a term used to describe a mass within the body composed of a c otton matrix which usually refers to a retained surgical sponge, is a rare complication of cardiac surgery. We report one case revealed by the recurre nce of the anginal symptoms after successful myocardial revascularisation s urgery. The preoperative diagnosis was suspected by a combination of imagin g techniques and subsequently confirmed by surgical removal. We review the literature to summarise the diagnostic and therapeutic features of gossypib omas. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.