Needle embolus: a unique complication of intravenous drug abuse.
We report a unique complication of intravenous drug abuse, central embolization of a needle from a peripheral site. A heroin addict dislodged a needle into the soft tissues of the forearm during self injection. Immediate surgical attempts to visualize and remove the needle were unsuccessful. On a subsequent admission, chest radiograph showed the needle in the right mid-lung field. No attempt at removal was made.
D000328:Adult; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005548:Foreign-Body Migration / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003932:Heroin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D009339:Needles; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D011859:Radiography
D003932:Heroin