Needle embolus: a unique complication of intravenous drug abuse.

We report a unique complication of intravenous drug abuse, central embolization of a needle from a peripheral site. A heroin addict dislodged a needle into the soft tissues of the forearm during self injection. Immediate surgical attempts to visualize and remove the needle were unsuccessful. On a subsequent admission, chest radiograph showed the needle in the right mid-lung field. No attempt at removal was made.