Gossypiboma masquerading as a pelvic cystic lesion

Abstract

Gossypiboma or textiloma is a rare avoidable surgical disaster having medicolegal repercussions. It is a mass lesion due to a retained surgical cotton sponge accompanied by foreign body reaction. The time of presentation may range from early postoperative period to several decades later. A correct diagnosis can be made only in one-third of cases. We report an unusual case of gossypiboma in a 56-year-old female which was mistaken for pelvic cystic lesion. The diagnosis of gossypiboma was confirmed only during surgical exploration. Retained foreign body should be one of the differential diagnosis of any postoperative patient presenting with pain, infection, or palpable mass.