When a sponge is retained, it often presents with specific features on an X-ray or CT scan:
In medical imaging, an X-ray that includes sponges typically refers to the detection of a (gossypiboma or textileoma) following a surgical procedure . The Role of Radiopaque Markers
The presence of a sponge on a post-operative X-ray is considered a "never event" in healthcare—a serious, preventable medical error.
: These markers allow radiologists to quickly identify the presence and exact location of a sponge within a patient’s body cavity if the manual sponge count is incorrect. Radiographic Appearance
: Operating room teams perform multiple manual counts of all sponges, needles, and instruments before, during, and after surgery.
: Many hospitals now use Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) or barcoded sponges in addition to X-ray markers to provide a second layer of verification.
: A "burlap" or "soap-bubble" appearance may occur if gas becomes trapped within the fibers of the sponge, often indicating a secondary infection or abscess formation.