Imaging features of retained surgical foreign bodies

Purpose. To study the clinical and radiological manifestations in patients with retained surgical foreign bodies. Patients and Methods. Over the last five years, seven patients were found t o have retained surgical foreign bodies after abdominal surgery. An analysi s of the clinical signs, laboratory findings and imaging features was perfo rmed. Results. The clinical and laboratory data were non-specific. The diagnosis of textiloma was suggested based on imaging findings and surgical history b efore surgical exploration. The characteristic imaging findings at ultrasou nd and computed tomography consisted of a fluid collection with internal wa vy structures. The differential diagnosis includes pyogenic abscesses, hema tomas and ruptured hydatid cysts. Conclusion. Ultrasonography and computed tomography are essential for the d iagnosis and management of retained surgical foreign bodies after abdominal surgery.