Intraconal gauze mass: An unusual complication of orbital fracture repair - a case report

Gossypiboma and textiloma are terms used to describe tumor-like masses caused by retained gauze or surgical sponges after any operation. It is a rare surgical complication, usually difficult to diagnose due to its variable clinical presentation and nonstandard radiological appearance. We describe here a rare case of orbital gossypiboma in a child after surgical correction of an orbital blowout fracture.

Bilateral cervico-dorsal gossypiboma presenting as discharging sinus

Retained surgical sponge is an uncommon complication after laminectomy. A 67-year-old male presented with a discharging sinus in the cervical region following cervical laminectomy. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed bilateral symmetrical lesions in the paraspinal area. Re-exploration revealed gauze pieces on either side under the muscle. Persistent discharging wound after surgery should arouse the possibility of a foreign body. Because of the rarity of bilateral lesions, the present case is being reported.

Gossypiboma of the Thigh Mimicking Soft Tissue Sarcoma: Case Report and Review of Literature

INTRODUCTION

Foreign body granulomas due to surgical swab left after surgery (Gossypiboma) are rare. There are few cases of such lesion after orthopaedic procedure in thigh. Presentations vary from pathological fracture to painless mass. Gossipyboma with radiological appearance of soft tissue sarcoma are rare and we report one such case.

CASE REPORT

32 year old male laborer had fracture shaft femur 13 years back which went into malunion after conservative treatment. Osteoclasis, open reduction and K-nailing was done at 6 months. Fracture united and K nail was removed 3 years later. Patient was asymptomatic for 10 years after which he presented to us with swelling and pain in the medial aspect of thigh. Radiograph showed soft tissue mass with excavating lesion of the posteromedial aspect of femur resembling soft tissue sarcoma. Biopsy revealed cystic lesion with sterile fluid with no malignant cells. Explorations of the lesion lead to discovery of shredded surgical swab. Complete removal of all granulomatous tissue was done and patient was given hip spica for 3 months after which he was gradually mobilized and is currently walking full weight bearing at one year follow up.

CONCLUSION

Cases with radiologically destructive lesions close to previous surgery scars should be assessed with gossypiboma as one of the differentials.