Foreign bodies in the foot

Abstract

A symptomatic foreign object lodged in the foot can be a difficult problem. The object's location and shape are the most important factors to identify before removal of the object is attempted. Many different imaging modalities have been used to locate the foreign objects in the foot. The authors briefly reviewed several common imaging modalities. Computed tomography appears to be superior to the other imaging modalities discussed in visualizing and localizing foreign objects in the foot. Magnetic resonance scanning is probably equal to computed tomography but is less readily available and more expensive and is contraindicated with ferrous metal foreign bodies.