title: [Usefulness of ultrasound and CT in the diagnosis of complications caused by surgical sponges left in the abdominal cavity].
abstract: The identification of surgical sponges left in the abdomen and their complications (gossypiboma) creates difficult diagnostic problems in the absence of radio-opaque markers. The phlogistic septic or aseptic reaction to the presence of a foreign body produces nonspecific symptoms and may vary according to the site of the lesion and its relationship with contiguous viscera. Plain abdomen films and the barium meal give some information (mainly topographic), but are usually insufficient for correct diagnosis. As proved by the three case reports discussed, US images (strongly attenuating mass with intense acoustic shadows in a fluid collection) and especially the CT images (mass containing a striped, spotted and whirlike pattern) may be highly indicative, permitting correct preoperative diagnosis.
authors: I Divisione di Radiodiagnostica, Ospedale Niguarda-Ca' Granda, Milano.
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Gallotti
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Mella
mesh_terms: D000005:Abdomen; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
vernacular_title: Utilità degli US e della TC nel riconoscimento delle complicanze da garze ritenute nel cavo addominale.