Detection and characterization of soft tissue foreign bodies by ultrasonography

Background: Soft tissue foreign bodies are a frequent cause of consultation in emergency rooms. It is clinically to verify their existence since conve ntional radiology only detects radio opaque objects. Ultrasound can be a us eful diagnostic procedure. Aim: To report our experience in the detection o f soft tissue foreign bodies by ultrasound examination. Patients and method s: The ultrasonographic appearance of vegetables, glass and plastic metal, bone and stones was studied in gelatin preparations. In a second stage 52 p atients (27 male, aged 3 to 88 years old) were studied in whom the presence of a soft tissue foreign body was confirmed surgically. Results: The mean error of the procedure for the assessment of foreign body size was 0.2 mm i n vitro and 0.5 mm in vitro. The deepness and involved planes were correctl y diagnosed in 96%, the number of fragments were diagnosed correctly in 94% of cases. The type of foreign body was identified correctly in 77% of case s and complications were detected in 100% of cases. Conclusions: Ultrasound is a sensitive and accurate method for the detection of soft tissue foreig n bodies.