title: Retained surgical sponge in differential diagnosis of paraspinal soft-tissue mass after posterior spinal surgery: report of eight cases.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In the postoperative period of posterior spinal surgery, surgeons usually encounter a wide spectrum of complications, including retained surgical sponge, gossypiboma.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective review of case records of eight patients diagnosed with gossypiboma with emphasis on computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All the eight patients presented with low back pain and/or symptoms of infection, such as draining from the incision site, fever, and tenderness. The diagnosis was confirmed by the imaging findings on MRI with gadolinium enhancement.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Retained paravertebral surgical sponges are seldom reported due to medicolegal implications. Awareness of this complication among neurosurgeons and radiologists is essential to avoid unnecessary morbidity.
authors: Department of Neurosurgery, Adnan Menderes University School of Medicine, Aydin, Turkey. drmturgut@yahoo.com.
authors: Cem
authors: C
authors: Atabey
authors: Mehmet
authors: M
authors: Turgut
authors: Ahmet Turan
authors: AT
authors: Ilica
mesh_terms: D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D017586:Diskectomy / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D007796:Laminectomy / Q000009:adverse effects; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000601:surgery; D015503:Surgical Sponges / Q000009:adverse effects*; D055815:Young Adult