A delayed unusual presentation of a penetrating foreign body
Lee, S.T.
Singapore Medical Journal 33(3): 304-305
1992
ISSN/ISBN: 0037-5675 PMID: 1631596 Document Number: 389674
Complications resulting from the penetrating percutaneous foreign bodies almost always arise in the early post injury period. Delayed presentations of previous asymptomatic foreign bodies are rare. In this case report, symptoms of tracheal irritation arose seven years following the initial penetrating shrapnel injury to the neck. Computed tomography scans enabled localisation of the foreign body at the tracheal wall and carotid sheath interface. The usefulness of this radiologic modality in the evaluation of the penetrating soft tissue injury is highlighted. A review of the phenomenon of the migrating and asymptomatic foreign body follows.