Intrathoracic migration of Steinmann pins

J Thorac Imaging. 2000 Oct;15(4):301-3. doi: 10.1097/00005382-200010000-00013.

Abstract

The migration of surgical wires and pins placed for repair of orthopedic injury is well recognized. Such migration usually follows a retrograde path and the wires protrude near their entry point into the native bone. Occasionally, the migration occurs in an antegrade manner and produces injury. We describe a case where three Steinmann pins placed for fixation of a humeral neck fracture migrated, one slipping backwards towards the humeral entry point and two pins migrating into the thorax.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Bone Nails*
  • Female
  • Foreign-Body Migration / diagnostic imaging
  • Fracture Fixation, Internal
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Radiography, Thoracic
  • Shoulder Fractures / surgery*
  • Thorax*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed