Chronic Traumatic Glass Foreign Body Removal from the Lung through a Direct Parenchymal Incision
Article information
Abstract
Traumatic intrapulmonary glass foreign bodies that are missed on an initial examination can migrate and lead to severe complications. Here, we present a rare case of a traumatic intrapulmonary glass foreign body surgically removed by a direct pulmonary incision, which preserved the pulmonary parenchyma and avoided severe complications caused by migration.
INTRODUCTION
Traumatic foreign bodies are usually diagnosed and treated adequately, but they can be missed due to their radiolucent characteristics, location, and negligence. Some foreign bodies result in immediate inflammatory complications, whereas others can remain asymptomatic for a long time [1]. Organic materials such as wood can trigger an acute severe inflammatory reaction; in contrast, inorganic materials such as glass shards may remain asymptomatic if there is no significant physical injury [2]. We present a case of a chronic intrapulmonary foreign body identified as a glass shard, which was successfully removed by direct pulmonary incision through a minimal thoracotomy rather than via lung resection, as described in other reports.
CASE REPORT
A 50-year-old male farmer presented with 6-month history of cough and sputum. Ten years previously, he slipped in the bathroom and broke a window, resulting in a small laceration on his right upper back. The injury was sutured at a nearby hospital. Over several months, he developed a negligible cough with mild white sputum and no other symptoms. He began to experience a large amount of whitish sputum, and shortly thereafter was admitted to the hospital for evaluation. On physical examination, a linear small scar was observed on his right upper back. Chest auscultation revealed rhonchi sounds in the upper pulmonary fields. The laboratory findings showed a hemoglobin concentration of 13.1 g/dL, a white blood cell count of 10.2×103/mm3, and a platelet count of 11.6×103/μL. On chest radiography, a suspicious intrapulmonary foreign body mimicking a pulmonary vascular shadow was identified (Fig. 1A). Chest computed tomography (CT) revealed a sharp-edged foreign body surrounded by a cavity in the right lower pulmonary lobe (Fig. 1B, C). Considering the location of the old scar and a localized pleural thickening on chest CT, it might have passed through the chest wall. Fortunately, the cavitary lesion communicated with a small bronchiole, which acted as a drain. Due to severe pleural adhesion, video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery with a minimal thoracotomy was performed, and the foreign body was successfully removed through a direct parenchymal incision. The small fibrotic cyst was obliterated by suturing. The foreign body was identified as a triangular, sharp glass shard 4 cm in length (Fig. 2). His symptoms immediately disappeared, and he was discharged 6 days postoperatively.
DISCUSSION
Glass injuries account for approximately 13% of all traumatic wounds. Glass is the most frequently retained foreign body that is often missed in the initial diagnosis [1]. For patients with penetrating thoracic wounds, early diagnosis is crucial because of the potential for life-threatening complications.
Chest radiography is recommended to detect potential hemothorax, pneumothorax, and retained foreign bodies [3]. Radiography is an inexpensive and effective modality for imaging glass foreign bodies, and nearly all glass debris can be detected, except when obscured by bone. On radiography, glass fragments measuring 2 mm or more in length can be detected with approximately 100% accuracy [3]. In the present case, the patient could not remember whether radiography was performed following the initial injury. Subsequent imaging during routine examinations may have missed the foreign body due to its vague location, which could have been misinterpreted as a pulmonary vascular shadow, and the low resolution of radiography. Fortunately, serious complications, such as hemothorax, pneumothorax, and pneumonia did not occur. Chronic intrapulmonary foreign bodies frequently become enclosed by cystic fibrosis [4,5].
Various foreign bodies have been described in previous reports. The severity of the inflammatory reaction depends on the specific material. In addition, the shape and size of the foreign body affect the severity of damage caused by mechanical injury during migration. In some cases, elusive glass foreign bodies embedded in the musculoskeletal system that cause little functional deficit may be left in place because surgery may result in significant injury during removal of the object [2,3]. However, in the lung, large glass foreign bodies must be removed because of the risk of severe vascular injury if they migrate. A variety of intrapulmonary foreign bodies have been removed by pulmonary resection, regardless of whether the parenchyma was normal or reversibly injured [5]. In this patient, we performed a direct parenchymal incision and removed the chronic intrapulmonary foreign body and its surrounding minimal cystic fibrosis. In this case, foreign body measured about 4 cm, so it was possible to find it by hand, if there is a small foreign body in the lung parenchyma, CT-guided methylene blue staining or CT-guided hook wire localization is commonly used, and C-arms are sometimes used in the operating room.
Intrapulmonary glass foreign bodies that are missed on the initial examination can migrate and lead to severe complications. Therefore, these objects must be removed at the initial diagnosis if possible. If the foreign body comprises inorganic material such as glass and is palpable, then it can be removed by simple direct pulmonary incision, which preserves the pulmonary parenchyma and potentially avoids significant complications caused by migration.