My patient is injured: identifying foreign bodies with ultrasound Article Swipe
YOU?
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· 2015
· Open Access
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· DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1742271x15579950
· OA: W2171406751
Patients commonly present to the emergency department with a suspected retained foreign body, following penetrating injury. While plain radiography is often the first line in identifying radio-opaque foreign bodies, radiolucent foreign bodies such as wood and plastic can easily be missed. Furthermore, real-time visualization of such a foreign body can assist in its removal. This article evaluates the use of point-of-care ultrasound by emergency physicians in the identification and removal of soft-tissue foreign bodies along with describing the appropriate technique and highlighting the potential pitfalls. An illustrated case example is presented that highlights the benefits of point-of-care ultrasound foreign body detection and guided removal.
