title: Abdominal retained surgical sponges: CT appearance.
abstract: Retention of surgical sponges is rare. They cause either an aseptic reaction without significant symptoms or an exudative reaction which results in early but nonspecific symptoms. Computed tomography is very useful for recognition of retained sponges. The appearance of retained sponges is widely variable. Air trapping into a surgical sponge results in the spongiform pattern which is characteristic but unfortunately uncommon. A low-density, high-density, or complex mass is found in the majority of cases, but these patterns are not specific. Sometimes, a thin high-density capsule may be seen. Rim or internal calcification is a rare finding. Finally, a radiopaque marker is not a reliable sign. Differentiation from abscess and hematoma is sometimes difficult.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of Athens, Areteion Hospital, 76 Vas. Sophias Av., GR-115 28 Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kalovidouris
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kehagias
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Moulopoulos
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gouliamos
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pentea
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Vlahos
mesh_terms: D000005:Abdomen; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005549:Foreign-Body Reaction / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D015503:Surgical Sponges; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed