Small metal soft tissue foreign body extraction by using 3D CT guidance: a reliable method.
OBJECTIVE
To introduce a useful and accurate technique for the locating and removal of small metal foreign bodies in the soft tissues.


METHODS
Eight patients presented with suspected small metal foreign bodies retained in the soft tissues of various body districts. Under local anesthesia, 3-6 pieces of 5 ml syringe needles or 1 ml syringe needles were induced through three different planes around the entry point of the foreign bodies. Using these finders, the small metal FBs were confirmed under 3D CT guidance. Based on the CT findings, the soft tissues were dissected along the path of the closest needle and the FBs were easily found and removed according to the relation with the closest needle finder.


RESULTS
Eight metal foreign bodies (3 slices, 3 nails, 1 fish hook, 1 needlepoint) were successfully removed under 3D CT guidance in all patients. The procedures took between 35 min and 50 min and the operation times took between 15 min and 25 min. No complications arose after the treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
3D CT-guided technique is a good alternative for the removal of small metal foreign body retained in the soft tissues as it is relatively accurate, reliable, quick, carries a low risk of complications and can be a first-choice procedure for the extraction of small metal foreign body.
Department of Plastic Surgery, General Hospital of Shenyang Military Command, PLA, Shenyang 110016, China. davidtaothree@yahoo.com.cn
Kai
K
Tao
Sen
S
Xu
Xiao-yan
XY
Liu
Jiu-long
JL
Liang
Tao
T
Qiu
Jia-nan
JN
Tan
Jian-hua
JH
Che
Zi-hua
ZH
Wang
D000328:Adult; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D008670:Metals; D008875:Middle Aged; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D017695:Soft Tissue Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery*; D025321:Surgery, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
D008670:Metals