1. Demonstrate the value of abdominal radiographs in foreign body investigations 2. Review the radiographic appearance of a variety of foreignbodies and discuss complications

Abdominal radiography is a rapid, cost effective, powerful diagnostic tool for foreign body investigations in the emergency setting. In addition to identifying the foreign object, many common complications such as free air and bowel obstruction can be diagnosed. Recognizing these findings and making the diagnosis in the most efficient, cost effective manner is essential for the emergency radiologist. Utilizing plain radiographs as opposed to computed tomography (CT) for this indication may significantly decrease radiation dose for patients who present repeatedly for foreign body investigations, such...

Anonymized abdominal radiographs were retrieved from case collections and submitted for review. The following cases demonstrate the utility of plain radiography in foreign body evaluation. MATERIALS IDENTIFIED ON RADIOGRAPHS A variety of materials can be detected using radiography, but some are easier to identify than others. It is important to know what various materials look like on radiographs to avoid missing important findings. Metal is very radiopaque, and easily detected on plain radiographs (Figure 1). Plastic is more difficult to detect due to its radiolucency...

Abdominal radiography is a rapid, cost effective, powerful diagnostic tool for foreign body investigations in the emergency setting. Using plain radiographs, one can detect a wide variety of foreign bodies, as well as many associated complications. The sensitivity increases if one knows what the object of interest looks like on radiographs. While plain radiographs are sufficient in most cases, it is important to remember that the modality has limitations. Small volumes of free air or soft tissue injury may not be apparent on radiographs.

SPECIAL THANKS Jessica Frank, RT(R), University of Massachusetts Medical Center, for taking radiographs of gauze and phantom Jae Joon Chung, MD, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Seoul Korea, for donating the gossypiboma case Anna Luisa Kuhn, MD, Daniel Burritt, MD and David Radcliffe, MD, University of Massachusetts Medical School, for sharing several cases DISCLOSURE The authors have no financial disclosures

Hariharan D, Lobo D. Retained surgical sponges, needles and instruments. Annals of The Royal College of Surgeons of England. 2013;95(2):87-92. Hunter TB, Taljanovic MS. Foreign bodies. Radiographics. 2003;23(3):731–757. Kopylov U, Nemeth A, Cebrian A, et al. Symptomatic retention of the patency capsule: a multicenter real life case series. Endoscopy International Open. 2016;4(9):E964-E969. Nowitzki KM, Hoimes ML, Chen B, Zheng LZ, Kim YH. Ultrasonography of intrauterine devices. Ultrasonography. 2015;34(3): 183-194. Rahman NU, Elliott SP, McAninch JW. Self-inflicted male urethral foreign body insertion: endoscopic management and complications....