RT Book, Section
A1 Reichman, Eric F.
SR Print(0)
ID 57710600
T1 Chapter 97. Subcutaneous Foreign Body Identification and Removal
T2 Emergency Medicine Procedures, 2e
YR 2013
FD 2013
PB The McGraw-Hill Companies
PP New York, NY
SN 978-0-07-161352-1
LK accessemergencymedicine.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=57710600
RD 2024/04/24
AB Wounds  with  retained  foreign  bodies  are  a  frequent  presenting  complaint  to  Emergency  Departments.  Up  to  38%  of  embedded  objects  are  missed  on  the  initial  assessment.1  Identification  and  removal  of  debris  and  foreign  bodies  promote  optimal  healing  of  traumatic  wounds.  The  presence  of  an  unrecognized  foreign  body  can  lead  to  complications  that  include  infection,  pain,  loss  of  function,  joint  injury,  tenosynovitis,  tendon  rupture,  and  osteomyelitis.2–5  Patients  presenting  with  chronic,  recurrent,  or  delayed  skin  infections  should  be  assessed  for  the  presence  of  an  unrecognized  foreign  body.  Failure  to  diagnose  and  treat  a  foreign  body  is  a  common  cause  of  litigation  against  Emergency  Physicians.  The  presence  of  a  foreign  body  may  not  be  obvious.  A  high  index  of  suspicion  and  careful  methodical  examination,  including  appropriate  imaging,  must  be  undertaken  to  identify  a  foreign  body.