Computed Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging Appearances of Abdomen and Pelvis Gossypibomas at the Varied Durations After Cesarean Section

The incidence of gossypiboma is considerably higher in open cavity surgeries, among which cesarean section ranks number one. However, it is difficult to diagnose abdomen or pelvic gossypibomas after cesarean section. We retrospectively analyzed the clinical and imaging data of three pathologically confirmed gossypiboma patients at varied durations after cesarean section. In case one, at four months after cesarean section, a gossypiboma near the small intestine caused fistula and intestinal obstruction. Soft tissue density lesion along the intestinal canal made the “segmental honeycomb sign" and "truncation" with metal markings on the edge on computed tomography (CT). Magnetic sensitivity artifacts were demonstrated as hypointensity on T1 weighted image (T1WI) and T2 weighted image (T2WI), while hyperintensity was seen on the diffusion weighted image (DWI). In case two, a gossypiboma in the peritoneal and intestinal space was revealed with MRI at 18 months after cesarean section. It was featured as a cystic and solid lesion, with "vortex like sign" and obvious ring enhancement on contrast-enhanced MRI scan. In case three, five years after cesarean section, a mass was palpated in the right middle and lower abdomen. MRI revealed a round mass of T1 hypointensity with mixed T2 signal, as well as swirling hypointensity in T2WI, T2WI-fat suppression (FS), and DWI. In CT and MRI examinations for suspected gossypiboma after cesarean section, "honeycomb sign" and "vortex like sign" are the characteristic appearances; gauze translocated into the intestine may show the "truncation sign". Accurate diagnosis is based on the surgery history, symptoms, and imaging features.