Glass in the Hand and Foot

Abstract

Roentgenograms of 66 different kinds of glass fragments embedded in chicken legs were taken to evaluate the roentgenographic detectability of glass in an animal tissue similar in size and structure to the human hand or foot. All 66 specimens were easily seen. The presence of lead or other heavy elements was not required for visualization. Fragments as small as 0.5 mm were easily detected if there was no overlying bone. Standard plain x-ray films of the injured hand or foot are useful in determining whether glass fragments are present in the wound. (JAMA1982;248:1872-1874)