# Retained wooden splinter in the gluteal region presenting 10 years after initial injury

## TL;DR

A woman had a wooden splinter in her buttock for over 10 years before it was finally discovered and removed.

## Contribution

This case highlights the delayed presentation of retained foreign bodies and the importance of surgical exploration when diagnostic imaging fails.

## Key findings

- The wooden splinter was not detected in initial imaging.
- Surgical exploration and targeted ultrasound were required to identify and remove the splinter.
- The case demonstrates long-term retention of foreign bodies can cause chronic inflammation.

## Abstract

Delayed presentation of retained foreign bodies with sequelae of chronic inflammation is a rare but well documented phenomenon. Here we present the unusual case of a 23-year-old female with a retained wooden splinter in the buttock region presenting more than 10 years post injury. A foreign body was not identified on initial imaging. Only after surgical exploration and targeted ultrasound was a wooden splinter identified and removed.