GOSSYPIBOMA - AN UNUSUAL CAUSE OF PERINEPHRIC ABSCESS

Retained surgical sponges, euphemistically called 'Gossypibomas', are rare occurrences which ape infrequently reported in the literature bec ause of legal implications. Their manifestations and complications are so variable that diagnosis is difficult and patient morbidity is sign ificant. In this note, we discuss the classical ultrasound, computeriz ed tomography (CT) scanning and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) featu res, which, in the presence of a high index of suspicion in a patient who has previously been operated upon, will greatly aid in the pre-ope rative diagnosis of this unfortunate complication. The gossypiboma mas querading as a perinephric abscess has not been previously reported.