Rare presentation of a wooden foreign body in the thigh

Abstract

Children are prone to injury with foreign bodies, partly due to their ebullient nature. They may not always give an accurate history, which can lead to delay in diagnosis and treatment. Primary care givers need to be vigilant in eliciting a history of foreign body injury in children. Radiologists should be aware that a neglected foreign body lying close to the bone in the distal femur can evoke a massive periosteal reaction, which can mimic a bone neoplasm. Although metallic foreign bodies are detected with ease on radiographs, detection of wooden foreign bodies remains a challenging task for both the radiologist and the care-giving physician. Wood foreign bodies may induce errors in diagnosis. The paper includes an analysis of the different radiographic methods currently available and their main features. This report would be of relevance to primary care physicians, those concerned with trauma care, and for radiologists who screen for these injuries.