Presentation
Young female with lower abdominal pain and pyrexia, 1-month post-cesarian section surgery.
Patient Data
Age: 25 years
Gender: Female
From the case:
Gossypiboma
![](https://prod-images-static.radiopaedia.org/images/58881030/85d9adeac3e59926f32cb48100825f2e5b0b62fb6b981bdd0765ba024a898a4f_thumb.jpeg)
![](https://prod-images-static.radiopaedia.org/images/58881031/596ef791164bc3c53d776ae5636c3bd58b8441dcf4c01fe9eca5d07b7fba6849_thumb.jpeg)
![](https://prod-images-static.radiopaedia.org/images/58881032/fae3656a8d7a56a7569ef33105144f48c5589d5f7c845db641fb858537382e06_thumb.jpeg)
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Info
![](https://prod-images-static.radiopaedia.org/images/58881030/85d9adeac3e59926f32cb48100825f2e5b0b62fb6b981bdd0765ba024a898a4f_big_gallery.jpeg)
Abdominal X-ray demonstrates irregular linear high-density mass in the pelvic area.
From the case:
Gossypiboma
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Info
![](https://prod-images-static.radiopaedia.org/images/58881033/3c580a69157fa22d1de677461eab39e912d361b330297ae7fc1008821daea278_big_gallery.jpeg)
Large retained surgical sponge missed after previous operation.
Case Discussion
Gossypiboma is the technical term for a surgical sponge accidentally left inside a patient's body. It is derived from the Latin word "gossypinus" meaning cotton plant and the Swahili "boma". Generally, the number of occurrences is between 3000 and 5000 cases a year. It is identified on plain radiography by noting their radiopaque marker strip.