What are examples of radio opaque foreign bodies?

From the Guidelines

Radio opaque foreign bodies include metal, stone, and graphite, which are detectable on radiographs, as stated in the most recent study 1. These objects appear white or bright on X-rays because they block X-ray beams from passing through them. Some common examples of radio opaque foreign bodies are:

• Metal objects such as coins, batteries, jewelry, pins, needles, nails, screws, keys, and dental fillings
• Glass fragments, especially if they contain lead
• Many stones and pebbles
• Certain medications and pills containing heavy metals or barium
• Concrete, porcelain, and some ceramics
• Bullets, shrapnel, and other weaponry fragments It's essential to identify these objects on imaging studies because they can cause tissue damage, infection, or other complications if left in the body, as noted in 1 and 1. The density of the material determines how brightly it appears on an X-ray, with denser materials like lead and other metals being the most visible, while materials closer to human tissue density like wood or plastic may be difficult or impossible to detect without additional imaging techniques, as discussed in 1 and 1.

From the Research

Radio Opaque Foreign Bodies

• Metallic objects, except aluminum, are opaque on radiographs 2
• Most animal bones and all glass foreign bodies are opaque on radiographs 2
• Gun pellets, needle fragments, and irregular metallic splinters are examples of radiopaque foreign bodies that can be extracted using a percutaneous technique under fluoroscopic guidance 3
• Aluminum foreign bodies can often be visualized on radiographs, but the sensitivity of this method is not adequate to completely rule out their presence 4
• Radiopaque foreign bodies encountered in dental practice can be classified into 19 types, including intentionally and unintentionally inserted foreign bodies, such as those inserted for treatment, esthetic, cultural, iatrogenic, or accidental purposes 5

Examples of Radio Opaque Foreign Bodies

• Metallic objects (except aluminum)
• Animal bones
• Glass foreign bodies
• Gun pellets
• Needle fragments
• Irregular metallic splinters
• Aluminum foreign bodies (although sensitivity of detection is not adequate)

Detection of Radio Opaque Foreign Bodies

• Conventional radiography can detect most glass and metallic foreign bodies 6
• Digital radiography with edge-enhancement facility can improve the visibility of objects visible with conventional radiography, but may not bring about visualization of those invisible to normal film-screen combinations 6