Delayed diagnosis of intracerebral foreign body from the Vietnam War
David B Fitzgerald1, Joseph M Gullett, Charles E Levy
1Neurology Service, Rehabilitation Research and Development Service (RR&D), Office of Research and Development, Department of Veteran Affairs, North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System, 1601 SW Archer Road, Gainesville, FL 32608-1197, USA.
Abstract:
We report on a 22-year-old infantryman who sustained a right frontal wound to his head. He was treated and returned to duty immediately. During a computed tomography scan, 38 years after the incident, a metallic foreign body and disruption of the brain consistent with a projectile track were discovered in his brain. In this report, we review similar cases of delayed discovery of unsuspected foreign bodies and the probable nature of the wound.
