: In long-term cases, the body may form a granuloma around the sponge, which can eventually calcify. Clinical Significance and Prevention
: Many hospitals now use Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) or barcoded sponges in addition to X-ray markers to provide a second layer of verification. Xray that includes sponges
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 : In long-term cases, the body may form
Surgical sponges are not inherently visible on standard X-rays because cotton is radiolucent (transparent to X-rays). To prevent them from being left behind, modern surgical sponges are manufactured with a —usually a thin, blue strip made of barium sulfate. The Role of Radiopaque Markers Surgical sponges are
: The most common finding is the visualization of the barium-impregnated thread.
The presence of a sponge on a post-operative X-ray is considered a "never event" in healthcare—a serious, preventable medical error.