Foot and Ankle Surgery
Volume 14, Issue 1 , Pages 32-35, 2008

Retained toothpick causing pseudotumor of the first metatarsal: A case report and literature review

  • Freih Odeh Abu Hassan, F.R.C.S. (Eng.), F.R.C.S. (Tr. & Orth.)

      Affiliations

    • Corresponding Author InformationCorrespondence address: P.O. Box 73, Jubaiha 11941, Jordan. Tel.: +962 6 52 40 346; fax: +962 6 52 40 346.

Department of Orthopedics Surgery, Jordan University Hospital, Amman, Jordan

Received 5 March 2007; received in revised form 10 July 2007; accepted 11 July 2007.

Abstract 

We present a case of a retained toothpick causing pseudotumor of the first metatarsal in a young female who was referred as a case of painless swelling in the dorsolateral aspect of the right foot to exclude a malignant tumor.

Plain radiograph did show an osteolytic lesion in the head and neck of the first metatarsal. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a toothpick inside the first metatarsal head. Surgical exploration revealed a 4cm toothpick embedded inside the bone surrounded by granulation tissue.

We could find seven cases of retained foreign bodies causing osteolytic lesions in the metatarsals of the foot with one case of osteomylitis in an adult due to a retained small piece of toothpick. Retained foreign body should be considered in the differential diagnosis of an osteolytic lesion of the foot.

Keywords: Foot, Foreign body, Toothpick, Osteolysis

 

PII: S1268-7731(07)00067-7

doi:10.1016/j.fas.2007.07.002

Foot and Ankle Surgery
Volume 14, Issue 1 , Pages 32-35, 2008

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