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A Porcine Model of Acute Autologous Pulmonary Embolism
Published on: September 6, 2024
Pulmonary embolism caused by a migrated gunshot projectile
Grgur Dulić1, Kresimir Candrlić, Robert Blazeković
1Department of Surgery, University Hospital "Osijek", Osijek, Croatia. grgurdulic@yahoo.com
Collegium Antropologicum
|September 13, 2007
Summary
A rare case of pulmonary embolism occurred when a gunshot bullet migrated to the lungs. The patient remained asymptomatic for ten years, leading to conservative management for this foreign body embolism.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Trauma Surgery
- Radiology
Background:
- Foreign body embolism is a rare complication, particularly following penetrating trauma.
- Vascular injuries from gunshot wounds can lead to projectile migration through the circulatory system.
Observation:
- A 62-year-old woman presented with a pulmonary embolism secondary to a gunshot wound to the knee sustained 10 years prior.
- The bullet had migrated via the venous system to the pulmonary artery and remained stationary.
- The patient was virtually asymptomatic with no evidence of further migration on follow-up.
Findings:
- The study details a unique case of delayed pulmonary embolism due to a retained foreign body (bullet).
- Conservative management was chosen due to the patient's asymptomatic status and the projectile's stability over a decade.
Implications:
- This case highlights the potential for delayed complications from retained foreign bodies after trauma.
- It underscores the importance of individualized management strategies for foreign body emboli, considering patient stability and asymptomatic presentation.
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