The case of a 17-year-old patient with a pseudotumour of the forefoot caused by a retained toothpick fragment is reported. The patient had several examinations in a two-year period and was treated for synovialitis of the first and third metatarsophalangeal joints. However, radiography of the plantar surface was the only examination done during these two years. Therapy was unsuccessful. After admission to our department, ultrasonography was performed and a foreign body in granulation tissue was detected. Computed tomography and MRI confirmed the finding. The foreign body granuloma was removed by surgery and the patient healed successfully. Options for visualising wooden foreign bodies not detected on X-ray images are discussed. Key words:pseudotumour, forefoot, toothpick, retained.

1 ortopedická klinika 1 LF UK Praha a FN Motol