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Foreign body induced knee synovitis

Case contributed by: Dr Maulik S Patel

Presentation:

14 yrs. Boy. Wood splinter injury to knee 1 yrs. 1 surgery and 2 aspirations done so far. MR showing synovitis. Referred for USG to look for any residual wood splinter - foreign body.

From the case: Foreign body induced knee synovitis

Modality: X-ray

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Foreign body induced knee synovitis

From the case: Foreign body induced knee synovitis

Modality: Ultrasound

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Foreign body induced knee synovitis

Suprapatellar synovitis

Case Discussion:

XRay - Prominent supra and infrapatellar soft tissue.

US - Synovitis in suprapatellar region with a foreign body ( 5 mm ) embedded within synovium.

US - 2nd foreign body ( 10 mm ) posterior to posterior cruciate ligament.

US - 3rd foreign body ( 15 mm ) posterior to calf vessels. Foreign body granuma is noted here; abutting vessels. No thrombosis was present.

US - Popliteal cyst as well as extra-articular collection. Reactive node in popliteal fossa adjacent to popliteal vessels.

Reference : US of Soft-Tissue Foreign Bodies and Associated Complications with Surgical Correlation By Tedric D. Boyse, MD and others -RadioGraphics 2001; 21:1251–1256