The Phantom for Studying Foreign Bodies’ Echo-Signs

Background: The frequency of FBs is about 4% among all diseases in the maxillofacial region and more than a third of them are missed during initial examinations. Several authors have found that multi-position ultrasound examination of the soft tissues of the maxillofacial region has a high diagnostic significance. The aim of our study was to create a useful simulation model of soft tissues from durable material to study the echo-signs of FBs and to confirm ultrasonography as a method of choice for suspicion of the presence of FBs in the soft tissues of the maxillofacial region.
Methods and Results: We created a utility model. Two parts of a phantom were made of silicone-containing material with organic and non-organic FBs located in two parallel rows at a depth of 5 mm and 20 mm. The echo-signs of objects of organic and non-organic origin were determined. Ultrasonography allowed visualization of all FBs located at a depth of 5 mm. None of the organic FBs placed into the phantom were visualized by computed tomography. Compared with computed tomography, ultrasonography was more informative and preferable in the diagnosis of FBs of soft tissues.
Conclusion: The created model is a highly sensitive and accurate tool for detecting even the radiolucent FBs of different origin.