Medical devices in the abdomen and pelvis are important to be recognized, just like medical devices of the chest. We often ignore these devices, considering them to be incidental and non-pathological, however it is essential to be aware of potential complications.
On this page:
Gastrointestinal devices
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tubes
stomach tubes: nasogastric / Ryles tube, feeding tube
intestinal tubes: nasojejunal feeding tube, Millor-Abbot tube (not used now), enteroclysis tube, gel pump tube (Parkinson), manometry tube, duodenal-jejunal bypass sleeve device (EndoBarrier)
gastrostomy tube (PEG/RIG), gastrostomy button, Malecot tube
jejunostomy tube
capsule endoscopy devices
bowel biopsy devices
rectal temperature probe
Genitourinary devices
bladder neck stent
nephrostomy tube, e.g. angiographic catheters, pigtail catheters, Malecot catheter
contraceptive devices, e.g. IUCD (e.g. Copper-T, Mirena), Norplant, vaginal ring
tubal ligation devices, Essure device
vasectomy devices
adjustable continence therapy implants (ProACT balloon device)
tandem and ovoid implants for gynecologic brachytherapy
Post-operative devices
surgical sutures, staples, clips, and glue
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surgical sponges
most commonly retained foreign surgical body is a laparotomy cotton sponge
it can be easily identified on radiographs by a 'ribbon-like' characteristic marker (see: gossypiboma)
surgical needles, ties
surgical drains, e.g. closed-wound suction drains, gravity drains, sump drains
biliary drains and stents: T-tube, biliary stent (e.g. Cook stent)
metallic stents: vascular stents, self-expandable metallic stents (SEMS)
endo clips or hemo clips
Ovesco device
vascular grafts, e.g. aortobi-iliac bypass grafts
Miscellaneous
foreign bodies
medications ingested by the patient: potassium chloride, antacids (e.g. Pepto-Bismol, magnesium salts), iron tablets, vitamin pills, barium sulfate and iodinated contrast media
residual medication injected into soft tissues e.g. bismuth (historically used for syphilis) in the buttocks
calcified injection sites in the soft tissue, most commonly buttocks in diabetics
radiopaque markers, as used in a shapes/colon transit study for evaluation of patients with chronic constipation (e.g. Sitz markers)
patient restraint devices
residual radiopaque contrast media
vertebroplasty/kyphoplasty related
hernia mesh, e.g. tantalum mesh
ascites drains
chemotherapy-infusion pumps
insulin pumps
femoral central venous catheters
brachytherapy seeds in the prostate
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