Aortic bullet embolization revealed by peripheral ischemia after a thoracic gunshot wound

Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg. 2011 Mar;12(3):520-2. doi: 10.1510/icvts.2010.250100. Epub 2010 Dec 20.

Abstract

We present the case of a 21-year-old male who came to the emergency ward for a thorax bullet wound. At our first check-up, the computed tomography (CT)-scan showed a pulmonary contusion, a hemothorax and a suspicious image of a thoracic aortic wound. The patient was stable, but soon after admission a distal ischemic syndrome appeared which revealed the emboli of the projectile. We removed it and a stent graft was implanted into the thoracic aorta. We report our experience of the treatment and the mechanisms that explain how such a wound did not kill the patient.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aorta, Thoracic / diagnostic imaging
  • Aorta, Thoracic / injuries*
  • Aorta, Thoracic / surgery
  • Blood Vessel Prosthesis
  • Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation / instrumentation
  • Embolism / diagnostic imaging
  • Embolism / etiology*
  • Embolism / surgery
  • Humans
  • Ischemia / diagnostic imaging
  • Ischemia / etiology*
  • Ischemia / surgery
  • Lower Extremity / blood supply*
  • Male
  • Stents
  • Thoracic Injuries / complications*
  • Thoracic Injuries / diagnostic imaging
  • Thoracic Injuries / surgery
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Vascular System Injuries / complications*
  • Vascular System Injuries / diagnostic imaging
  • Vascular System Injuries / surgery
  • Wounds, Gunshot / complications*
  • Wounds, Gunshot / diagnostic imaging
  • Wounds, Gunshot / surgery
  • Young Adult