Skip to main content
Log in

Investigation of wooden splinters in foot: a case report and literature review

Recherche d’échardes en bois dans le pied

  • Case Report
  • Published:
European Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery & Traumatology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

We present a case of wooden foreign bodies in the foot with delayed diagnosis. Unreliability of plain radiographs in these situations is emphasized. The comparative utility of computed tomography, magnetic resonance scans and ultrasonography is evaluated from a literature review. We utilized a sinogram which showed the splinters and also indicated their location and orientation in a region of complex anatomy, thus reducing surgical time and morbidity. Management of a suspected radiolucent foreign body is fraught with pitfalls and we provide a possible algorithm for management.

Résumé

Nous présentons un cas d’échardes en bois du pied avec diagnostic retardé. Le manque de fiabilité des radiographies standard dans ces situations est souligné. L’utilité comparative de la scanographie, de l’I.R.M. et de l’échographie est évalué à partir d’une revue de la littérature. Nous avons utilisé un sinogramme qui a montré les échardes et a également indiqué leur localisation exacte et orientation dans une région anatomique complexe, ce qui a permis de réduire la durée et la morbidité de l’acte chirurgical. La gestion d’un corps étranger radio-transparent suspecté est pleine de pièges et nous fournissons un algorithme utilisable dans ces cas.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Blyme PJ, Lind T, Schantz K et al (1990) Ultrasonographic detection of foreign bodies in soft tissue. A human cadaver study. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 110:24–25

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Bonatz E, Robbin ML, Weingold MA (1998) Ultrasound for the diagnosis of retained splinters in the soft tissue of the hand. Am J Orthop Jun:455–459

  3. Cawthon LA, Meza MP, Eggleston DE (1991) The radiolucent wooden foreign body. Pediatr Emerg Care Aug:224–225

  4. Crawford R, Matheson AB (1989) Clinical value of ultrasonography in the detection and removal of radiolucent foreign bodies. Injury 20:341–343

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Donaldson JS (1991) Radiographic imaging of foreign bodies in the hand. Hand Clin Feb:125–134

  6. Flom LL, Ellis GL (1992) Radiologic evaluation of foreign bodies. Emerg Med Clin North Am Feb:163–177

  7. Ginsburg MJ, Ellis GL, Flom LL (1990) Detection of soft-tissue foreign bodies by plain radiography, xerography, computed tomography, and ultrasonography. Ann Emerg Med 19:701–703

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Graham DD Jr (2002) Ultrasound in the emergency department: detection of wooden foreign bodies in the soft tissues. J Emerg Med 22:75–79

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Mizel MS, Steinmetz ND, Trepman E (1994) Detection of wooden foreign bodies in muscle tissue: experimental comparison of computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and ultrasonography. Foot Ankle Int 15:437–443

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Mucci B, Stenhouse G (1985) Soft tissue radiography for wooden foreign bodies–a worthwhile exercise?. Injury May:402–404

  11. Oikarinen KS, Nieminen TM, Makarainen H et al (1993) Visibility of foreign bodies in soft tissue in plain radiographs, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and ultrasound. An in vitro study. Int J Oral Maxillofac Surg Apr:119–124

  12. Peterson JJ, Bancroft LW, Kransdorf MJ (2002) Wooden foreign bodies: imaging appearance. AJR Am J Roentgenol Mar:557–562

  13. Roobottom CA, Weston MJ (1994) The detection of foreign bodies in soft tissue–comparison of conventional and digital radiography. Clin Radiol May:330–332

  14. Russell RC, Williamson DA, Sullivan JW et al (1991) Detection of foreign bodies in the hand. J Hand Surg [Am] 16:2–11

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Sawar O, Inman C, Jaffray DC (1993) We could not see the wood for the tree. Injury 24:491–493

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Yanay O, Vaughan DJ, Diab M et al (2001) Retained wooden foreign body in a child’s thigh complicated by severe necrotizing fasciitis: a case report and discussion of imaging modalities for early diagnosis. Pediatr Emerg Care 17:354–355

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Naresh Kumar.

Additional information

None of the authors has any financial interests involved in this paper

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Kumar, A., Kumar, N. & Gadgil, A. Investigation of wooden splinters in foot: a case report and literature review. Eur J Orthop Surg Traumatol 16, 80–82 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00590-005-0022-7

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00590-005-0022-7

Keywords

Mots clés

Navigation