Introduction

In the emergency department, the detection of a superficial foreign body is a common and important task. There are several modalities available for identifying foreign bodies. While the use of ultrasonography to detect foreign bodies has been described with varying success, it may be the most reliable method for detecting nonradiopaque material [1]. If not identified and removed, superficial foreign bodies may cause substantial morbidity and represent a significant medicolegal liability [2]. The use of bedside ultrasonography is effective not only for identifying, but more importantly may be useful in the localization and removal of superficial foreign bodies.

Case report

A 24-year-old male presented to the emergency department after breaking his car door window with his elbow. His vital signs were within normal limits, and his only complaint was a left arm laceration. On physical examination, there was a 4 cm laceration on the posterior aspect of his left arm, just proximal to the olecranon. The patient’s neurovascular examination was normal, with full range of motion and strength in the arm. A 3-view plain radiograph of the left elbow was performed, and identified 2 small radio-opaque foreign bodies (Fig. 1). After extensive exploration of the wound, the emergency physician was unable to locate the foreign bodies. With the use of focused emergency bedside ultrasonography, the emergency ultrasound fellow was immediately able to localize the foreign body, which was lodged 2 cm distal to the wound edge and approximately 1 cm beneath the skin (Fig. 2). Under ultrasound-guidance, a 22-gauge finder needle was then inserted adjacent to the foreign body (Fig. 3). The emergency physician, using the finder needle as a guide, extended the laceration distally and was able to dissect down to the foreign bodies. Two pieces of glass measuring 4 mm × 3 mm were removed from the patient’s wound.

Fig. 1
figure 1

Lateral X-ray. Radio-paque glass foreign bodies proximal to the elbow

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Fig. 2
figure 2

Transverse view. Glass foreign bodies (white arrow) with posterior shadowing

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Fig. 3
figure 3

Transverse view. Glass foreign bodies (white arrow) localized with a 22-gauge finder needle (black arrow)

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Discussion

Locating and removing a foreign body is a challenge that emergency physicians commonly encounter. Patients presenting with an open wound should always raise suspicion for a potentially embedded foreign body [3]. While ultrasonography can be used to diagnose the presence of soft tissue foreign bodies, its success in several studies has been variable [2, 4–6]. The current indications by the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) for obtaining a focused emergency soft tissue ultrasound include the evaluation for soft tissue infection, foreign bodies, and cutaneous masses [7]. Currently plain radiographs are more accessible, easier to interpret by nonradiologists, and are not as operator-dependent as ultrasonography. However, while metal and glass are radio-opaque and usually apparent on plain radiographs, plastic and wooden foreign bodies are nearly always missed [6]. In addition, while radiographs may be more accessible and easily interpreted, they are generally less useful in the removal of a foreign body.

Soft tissue foreign bodies may demonstrate a variety of sonographic patterns depending on several factors including composition, size, and length of time embedded. Common materials such as wood, glass, metal, plastic, and gravel will generally appear hyperechoic, with posterior shadowing. Foreign bodies retained for longer than 24 h are frequently surrounded by a hypoechoic “halo” due to surrounding edema, pus, or granulation tissue [6].

Whether radio-opaque or radiolucent, once the foreign body has been identified, the next and often more difficult task is to localize and remove it. Unsuccessful removal of soft tissue foreign bodies may result in further tissue injury, infection, and problems with wound healing [8]. In this case report, the surrounding area was anesthetized, and a 22-gauge finder needle was inserted under ultrasound-guidance adjacent to the foreign body. Ultrasonography may be used to identify a soft tissue foreign body, but perhaps the more useful application in the emergency department is the localization and removal of it.