Delayed reaction to shrapnel retained in soft tissue.
BACKGROUND
Treatment of penetrating injuries to soft tissues does not require surgical excision of shrapnel. Metals usually remain inert and do not cause damage and are therefore left in soft tissue.


OBJECTIVE
Characterization of delayed reaction to shrapnel retained for many years in soft tissue.


METHODS
Four patients sustained penetrating injuries to the limbs with embedded shrapnel. Many years later, they experienced delayed reaction to the metals that required surgery, with very unusual findings.


CONCLUSIONS
Although nonsurgical treatment of shrapnel in soft tissues is the treatment of choice in most cases, we need to be aware of the possibility of late complications requiring surgical treatment.
Eylon
S
S
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical School, P.O. Box 12000, Jerusalem il-91120, Israel.
Mosheiff
R
R
Liebergall
M
M
Wolf
E
E
Brocke
L
L
Peyser
A
A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D005549:Foreign-Body Reaction / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008670:Metals; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D017695:Soft Tissue Injuries / Q000150:complications*; D013848:Thigh; D013997:Time Factors; D014948:Wounds, Gunshot / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging
D008670:Metals