Most ingested foreign bodies pass through the gastrointestinal tract without a problem. However, both ingested and inserted foreign bodies may cause serious complications, such as bowel obstruction or perforation. Foreign body aspiration is common in children, especially those under 3 years of age, and in these cases chest radiography and CT are the main imaging modalities. This textbook provides a thorough overview of the critical role of diagnostic imaging in the assessment of patients with suspected foreign body ingestion, aspiration, or insertion. A wide range of scenarios are covered, from the common problem of foreign body ingestion or aspiration in children and mentally handicapped adults through to drug smuggling by body packing and gunshot wounds. Guidance is offered on diagnostic protocols, and the value of different imaging modalities in different situations is explained. Helpful management tips are also provided. This textbook will prove invaluable for residents in radiology, radiologists, and physicians who are involved on a daily basis, within an emergency department, in the management of patients with suspected ingestion, aspiration, or insertion of foreign bodies.¿

1 Plain film and MDCT assessment of neck foreign bodies.- 2 Foreign bodies in the tracheobronchial tree.- 3 Foreign bodies of the gastrointestinal tract.- 4 Intra-abdominal foreign bodies: gossypiboma and abdominal wall meshes.- 5 Abdominal compartment syndrome due to hepatic packing.- 6 Foreign bodies as complications of biliary stents and gastrointestinal stents.- 7 Endovascular foreign bodies.- 8 Foreign bodies as complications of endovascular devices.- 9 Retained intracranial and intraspinal foreign bodies.- 10 Role of magnetic resonance imaging in diagnosing foreign bodies.- 11 Soft tissue foreign bodies.- 12 Foreign bodies and penetrating injuries.