image by: Amal Graafstra

HWN Suggests

BrownSound: Foreign Bodies

Radiopaque objects such as metal will likely appear on plain films, however objects made of wood or other organic material are radiolucent.

The user will want to start with the high-frequency (7.5-MHz or higher) linear array transducer that is usually used for soft tissue ultrasound. Apply gel and gently place the probe perpendicular to the skin where the patient is complaining of a foreign body sensation or pain. Alternatively, if there is significant discomfort with direct probe contact, the user can submerge the body part in a water bath, which serves as an excellent conduction medium for sound waves, and no direct contact with the tender skin is required.

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 POCUS

Bedside ultrasound can help evaluate for and identify foreign bodies that are not radiopaque such as plastic, organic material, and wood.

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The Foreign Body

Given the size of the scratch on his leg and the fact that this was caused by something from his garden, we needed to consider the possibility of a retained foreign body. You would expect that if there was retained foreign material, it might be wood and would not show up on X-ray. A bedside soft tissue ultrasound in two planes was performed...

Trick of the Trade: "Punch out" the foreign body

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Wine Glass in the Foot: A Case Study

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