Cervical Metallic Foreign Body Cause of Cervical Cellulitis: A Case Report

Introduction: Iatrogenic injuries from medical procedures, such as retained guidewires during venous cannulation, are rare but can lead to serious complications including cellulitis, abscess formation, and even septicemia. These metallic foreign bodies are radiopaque, making CT scanning the imaging modality of choice. Definitive treatment typically involves surgical removal. Case Report: We present the case of a 24-year-old woman who was admitted to the ICU in 2018 following a snake bite complicated by right forearm necrosis, requiring multiple necrosectomies. A central venous catheter was placed in the right internal jugular vein to facilitate treatment. Five months later, she developed right-lateral cervical cellulitis with localized swelling and a central area of skin loss at the catheter insertion site. A cervical CT scan revealed soft tissue infiltration with a metallic-density object. Surgical exploration of the area revealed a retained metal needle, which was successfully removed. Intraoperative X-ray confirmed no remaining foreign material. Postoperative recovery was uneventful, and the patient healed well. Conclusion: This case highlights the importance of considering retained foreign bodies in patients presenting with delayed infections at previous catheter sites. CT imaging is essential for diagnosis, and timely surgical exploration ensures effective treatment and prevents further complications.