Retained facial foreign body following trauma in a child: a case report

Traumatic injuries in orofacial region often drive foreign bodies in the soft tissues. They are secondary to penetrating or abrasive trauma resulting in bleeding and deep wound. The foreign body may sometimes remain unnoticed. This case report is of a 32 month old male patient who reported to the Department of Pedodontics and Preventive dentistry with complain of thorn prick injury on right side of the face. On palpation, linear mass on the right cheek region measuring about 3-4 cm in length with small eruption on skin suggestive of healed opening was evaluated. Soft tissue ultrasonography (USG) was advised along with blood investigation. Soft tissue USG did not disclose any foreign body. Blood investigation was normal. Surgical exploration revealed a thorn measuring 17 mm in size. The wound was debrided and sutures placed at the site of incision. The 6-month clinical follow-up revealed uneventful soft issue healing. Early and definite diagnosis correlating clinical and radiologic examination is important for conservative management of such lesion thus eliminating potential risk of developing larger infection.