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Cervical gunshot wound: bullet trajectory on three-dimensional computed tomography scan

Ferimento por arma de fogo em região cervical: trajetória da bala na tomografia computadorizada tri-dimensional

IMAGES IN NEUROLOGY

Cervical gunshot wound: bullet trajectory on three-dimensional computed tomography scan

Ferimento por arma de fogo em região cervical: trajetória da bala na tomografia computadorizada tri-dimensional

Juliana Cabrera GarridoI; Frederico Figueiredo AmâncioII; Rodrigo Moreira FaleiroIII; Geraldo Magela RibeiroIV; Thiago Cardoso ValeV

IMD, Internal Medicine Resident at Hospital João XXIII, Fundação Hospitalar do Estado de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte MG, Brazil

IIMD, Intensivist at Hospital João XXIII, Fundação Hospitalar do Estado de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte MG, Brazil

IIIMD, Neurosurgeon, Head of the Residency Program of Neurosurgery at Hospital João XXIII, Fundação Hospitalar do Estado de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte MG, Brazil

IVMD, Radiologist at Hospital João XXIII, Fundação Hospitalar do Estado de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte MG, Brazil

VMD, Neurologist at Hospital das Clínicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte MG, Brasil

Correspondence Correspondence: Frederico Figueiredo Amâncio Hospital João XXIII, Fundação Hospitalar do Estado de Minas Gerais Avenida Professor Alfredo Balena, 400 30130-100 Belo Horizonte MG - Brasil E-mail: manzoff@gmail.com

An 18-year-old man was admitted to the Emergency Unit shortly after having a gunshot wound in the neck. The patient developed an acute flaccid tetraplegia combined with arreflexia and sphincter impairment. He was promptly intubated and immobilized with a cervical spine collar. Three-dimensional (3D) cervical computed tomography (CT) scan showed the bullet trajectory with entrance on the right side and no exit on the left side (Figure). A C4-C5 bone fracture was observed, as well as right jugular vein thrombosis. All the greater cervical arteries were incredibly spared. Three-dimensional CT scan imaging techniques can be a useful tool for evaluating gunshot wounds of the cervical region1.


Received 27 February 2012

Received in final form 11 June 2012

Accepted 28 June 2012

Conflict of interest: There is no conflict of interest to declare.

  • 1. Bruner D, Gustafson CG, Visintainer C. Ballistic injuries in the emergency department. Emerg Med Pract 2011;13:1-30.
  • Correspondence:
    Frederico Figueiredo Amâncio
    Hospital João XXIII, Fundação Hospitalar do Estado de Minas Gerais
    Avenida Professor Alfredo Balena, 400
    30130-100 Belo Horizonte MG - Brasil
    E-mail:
  • Publication Dates

    • Publication in this collection
      14 Nov 2012
    • Date of issue
      Nov 2012
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