CTICasesRetained Ratex Sponge
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Imaging findings
Chest radiographs in a patient with a left ventricular assist device (Jaric 2000) and chest tubes showed an unidentified object near the LVAD. A subsequent CT scan clearly identified the crumpled object adjacent to the LVAD.
Key takeaways
The object was a Ratex sponge, which has a radioopaque marker. When compressed and wet in a small space, it can be difficult to discern on radiography, but its presence signifies a retained surgical item. It was intentionally left during surgery due to complicated bleeding but not recognized later.
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