Balloon tract dilatation facilitates fluoroscopically guided removal of deeply penetrating foreign bodies

Abstract

Previous reports describe removal of foreign bodies using image guidance with serial tract dilation or blunt and sharp dissection techniques. This report describes a novel technique utilizing balloon tract dilatation to facilitate the removal of retained radiopaque soft tissue foreign bodies under fluoroscopic guidance. This technique offers a minimally invasive approach for rapid retrieval of deeply penetrating foreign bodies, obviating the need for a large incision or surgical cut down. Keywords: Foreign body removal, Balloon tract dilatation