Toothpick puncture injuries of the foot in children

Abstract

We reviewed the medical records of five children seen between January 1997 and September 2003 for toothpick puncture injuries of the foot. Failure to visualize retained toothpicks by plain radiographs delayed early removal. Patients subsequently developed recurrent foot cellulitis, complicated by foot osteomyelitis in three cases. Ultrasound, computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging detected the toothpicks. These imaging tools should be considered for initial evaluation of these patients.