The risk to pathologists of contracting diseases due to cuts or needles pun
ctures while performing autopsies is well known. An additional risk is an a
ccidental needle puncture due to retained needle fragments within the subcu
taneous tissues or internal organs of intravenous drug addicts. We report 4
cases of drug addicted patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus
who came to autopsy and had retained needle fragments within their cervica
l-clavicular soft tissues. The presence of retained needle fragments increa
ses the risk to the autopsy pathologist of accidental needle puncture and e
xposure to disease. Because of this phenomenon, the pathologist should take
precautions in addition to those currently prescribed when performing auto
psies on possible drug abusers.