CTICasesRetained Surgical Sponge (Gossypiboma) in the Mediastinum
Imaging findings
Postoperative chest radiograph following cardiac surgery shows closed mediastinal wires and a retained radiopaque marker strip in the mediastinum, representing a forgotten laparotomy sponge. A subsequent radiograph shows revised sternal wire configuration following re-exploration and successful removal of the retained sponge.
Key takeaways
Retained surgical sponges are rare but serious iatrogenic complications. When an incorrect sponge count is reported in the operating room, technologists taking portable radiographs of the suspected missing sponge on a cassette can provide an invaluable direct visual reference for comparison, assisting the radiologist and surgical team in rapid intraoperative identification.
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