Intraoperative localization and monitoring of migrating foreign body using transesophageal echocardiography

Abstract

Radiological imaging is often used for the preoperative localization of foreign body following blast injury, but their utility in case of migration during intra-operative period is limited. Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) has been used for intra-operative localization and removal of intra-cardiac foreign body; however, reports for localization of extracardiac migrating foreign body are few. Preoperative radiological imaging, in a victim of factory blast-injury, suggested foreign body in the posterior mediastinum. However, the intra-operative TEE showed it in the left atrium, which later migrated into the left ventricle necessitating a change in surgical approach for its removal.

Esophageal ingested body in a child with calcified ligamentum arteriosum: a case report

“…The perforation of the esophagus enters in differential diagnosis with LAC especially if there is a positive history of FB ingestion, leading to a major surgery as in our report. The intraoperative transesophageal ultrasound in case of intracardiac sharp FB has been described [8] and could have been of some help in this case.…”

Dynamic monitoring of a migrating and penetrating intracardiac foreign body by echocardiography perioperatively

“…Preoperative localization of the foreign body was crucial for its surgical removal. X-rays, CT scans, fluoroscopy, and echocardiography were commonly used to locate the foreign body in the heart 7 .…”

“…Up to now, most operative suites lack real-time CT or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Kumar et al reported a case in which the preoperative radiological imaging showed a foreign body in the posterior mediastinum of a blast-injury victim 7 . However, the foreign body could not be located in the area identified preoperatively during the extended right posterolateral thoracotomy.…”

Transoesophageal echocardiography guided retrieval of shattered aortic cross‐clamp from the mediastinum

“…removal can be challenging but necessary due to movement of the heart, proximity to great vessels, and trauma to nearby cardiovascular structures due to potential migration [1][2][3]. Since most foreign bodies are opaque, the initial method of localisation is a chest radiograph [1].…”