Ultrasonographic patterns of iatrogenic foreign bodies in the in vitro study.

The purpose of the study was application of ultrasonography for description of imaging patterns of iatrogenic foreign bodies in an in vitro model. Examples of radiolucent and poorly radiopaque foreign bodies were embedded in containers filled with gelatine The ultrasound scanning was performed by means of ATL HDI 3500 machine with a high-frequency broadband linear transducer. There was determined the possibility of detection of various types of foreign bodies. All types of used materials were well visible and hyperechoic in ultrasound image. Variations in ultrasonographic image patterns of foreign bodies studied in vitro allowed differentiation of various types of the examined materials. In conclusion, ultrasonography may become a useful, widely available and cost-effective tool in detection and localisation of foreign bodies of iatrogenic origin that otherwise remain undetected.