Retained surgical sponge in differential diagnosis of paraspinal soft-tissue mass after posterior spinal surgery: report of eight cases.
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.
Atabey
Cem
C
Department of Neurosurgery, Adnan Menderes University School of Medicine, Aydin, Turkey. drmturgut@yahoo.com.
Turgut
Mehmet
M
Ilica
Ahmet Turan
AT
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