Ultrasound-guided removal of impalpable, radiolucent vegetative foreign bodies embedded into facial soft tissues of a toddler.

Otolaryngologists frequently encounter children with foreign bodies retained inside the lumen of their upper aerodigestive tract. However, total capture in the soft tissues happens rarely, and could be clinically, as well as radiographically, silent. Ultrasonography is a safe and effective imaging modality, aiding both diagnosis and surgical treatment. We report on a 14-month girl with chronic, fluctuating cheek edema and erythema, induced by an impalpable, radiolucent bundle of organic fibers embedded intramuscularly. Foreign body identification and atraumatic removal were facilitated by real-time ultrasound scanning.