Gossypiboma in the early post-operative period: a diagnostic problem.
A gossypiboma (a retained surgical sponge) usually has the characteristic appearance on CT of a soft tissue mass with air-bubbles and a whirl-like pattern. This finding may be confused in the early post-operative period with an abscess, especially when a fistula is present. We describe two patients, in whom this diagnosis was initially missed. A soft tissue mass containing air-bubbles in the early post-operative period with or without a fistula should include a retained pad, in the differential diagnosis.
Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel.
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S
Apter
M
M
Hertz
Z J
ZJ
Rubinstein
R
R
Zissin
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010388:Pelvis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D015503:Surgical Sponges; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed