Intracardiac migration of a Kirschner wire: case report and literature review

Int J Cardiovasc Imaging. 2011 Dec:27 Suppl 1:85-8. doi: 10.1007/s10554-011-9977-0. Epub 2011 Nov 19.

Abstract

Migration of orthopedic wires to a solid organ or body cavity is a rare complication that can cause various symptoms and may lead to death. We report a patient with Kirschner wire (K-wire) migration from the right pelvic cavity, a previous fracture site, into the right ventricle of the heart. K-wire migration was initially detected by simple chest radiography. The origin of the foreign body was initially unclear. Cardiac CT angiography with volume-rendered imaging helped to locate the migrating K-wire in the heart; a pelvic scan showed another K-wire in the right pelvic bone.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Bone Wires / adverse effects*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Foreign-Body Migration / diagnostic imaging*
  • Foreign-Body Migration / surgery
  • Fracture Fixation, Internal
  • Heart Ventricles / diagnostic imaging*
  • Heart Ventricles / surgery
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pelvis / diagnostic imaging
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods*
  • Ultrasonography