Intrathoracic Metallic Foreign Bodies

¹ U. S. Naval Hospital, Astoria, Oregon

Intrathoracic (pulmonary) metallic foreign bodies are frequently innocuous, especially in the late stages (three or more months following injury).

These foreign bodies may have little or no associated pleural or

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pulmonary scarring, and, even though in close proximity to a large bronchus, often have no associated pulmonary symptoms.

The necessity for removing most metallic intrapulmonary fragments merely because they measure 1 cm. or more in diameter is not borne out by the series of cases reported herewith.

Organic material (notably bone fragments) driven into the lung at the time of injury, is apparently a much greater source of potential trouble than the metallic foreign body itself.