Retained Wooden Foreign Body in a Child's Parotid Gland: A Case Report

Abstract

Foreign bodies can present a diagnostic challenge to even the experienced surgeon. In one review of 200 surgical cases involving retained foreign bodies, one-third of the cases had been initially missed.¹ Wooden foreign bodies in particular pose a challenge to the physician. In the review cited above, only 15% of wooden foreign bodies were well visualized on plain radiographs.¹ Acutely, on computed tomography (CT) scans, wooden foreign bodies will usually mimic air.² However, with time, the attenuation value of a wooden foreign body may increase as moisture is absorbed from the surrounding tissues.³ Once this occurs, the wooden foreign body may mimic fat, water or muscle.² We present an interesting case of a wooden foreign body in the parotid gland in order to illustrate a common presentation of such a foreign body, to review current guidelines for their clinical and radiologic diagnosis, and to suggest strategies for the management of their unique complications.