Detection of a giant wooden foreign body with multidetector computed tomography and multiplanar reconstruction imaging

• Published in: The American journal of emergency medicine Vol. 25; no. 2; pp. 211 - 213
• Main Authors: Kantarci, Mecit, MD, Ogul, Hayri, MD, Karasen, R. Murat, MD
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Philadelphia, PA Elsevier Inc 01.02.2007; Elsevier; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Adult; Anesthesia. Intensive care medicine. Transfusions. Cell therapy and gene therapy; Biological and medical sciences; Cardiovascular system; Computed tomography; Emergency; Emergency medical care; Emergency medical services; Foreign Bodies - diagnostic imaging; Foreign Bodies - etiology; Foreign Bodies - surgery; Health care; Humans; Intensive care medicine; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Male; Medical imaging; Medical sciences; Neck; Orbit - injuries; Radiodiagnosis. Nmr imagery. Nmr spectrometry; Respiratory system; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Wounds, Penetrating - complications; Intensive care; Multidetector scanner; Foreign body; Computerized axial tomography; Medical screening; Resuscitation
• ISSN: 0735-6757; 1532-8171
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ajem.2006.08.006

We describe the case of an unusual (unbelievable) giant wooden foreign body traversing the neck via the glabella. The relationship between the giant wooden foreign body and the nasopharynx air column was demonstrated through multidetector computed tomography (CT). The wooden foreign body mimicking air on a standard CT window setting was distinguished from air with the use of a higher CT window setting. Cases of accidental penetration injury of the head and neck by foreign bodies are not rare, but the entry of giant wooden foreign bodies into the neck via the glabella has never been reported in the literature. In our case patient, such a giant wooden foreign body was detected neither in the emergency department nor during radiologic investigations (conventional radiograms and standard CT) until the patient underwent multidetector CT 8 days after the related accident.