Penetrating carotid artery injury by air rifle: a case report

Air rifle injuries can cause significant vascular injuries. This air rifle injury has resulted in a penetrating neck trauma traversing the common carotid artery. There is debate around the need for radiological investigation, the most appropriate investigational modality, and the need for surgical exploration versus a conservative approach. This case report aims to exemplify a successful approach to managing Penetrating Carotid Injuries (PCI) while shedding light on the rationale behind the management decisions.

An 18-year-old Caucasian man arrived at the hospital following an air rifle injury to the right side of the neck, with active bleeding and a moderate haematoma displacing the trachea. He was haemodynamically stable, with a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) of 15 and no evidence of bruit. Computed Tomography Angiography (CTA) showed Right common carotid (CCA) artery injury with associated post-traumatic pseudoaneurysm. The pellet trajectory traverses the right superior thyroid gland. A duplex ultrasound scan (USS) confirmed two areas of arterial blush at the right CCA. Management involved neck exploration under General Anaesthesia (G.A.), repair of right CCA, bullet extraction, and wound washout. He received antibiotics for ten days and a single agent of antiplatelets for three months and was discharged two days postoperatively with no complications. He was followed up for eight months with no evidence of any trauma sequelae.

Penetrating carotid artery injuries are a serious concern. The small-sized pellets carry the risk of embolization. Therefore, neck exploration remains the gold standard treatment for PCI. Appropriate operative planning is crucial and can be optimised using radiological diagnostic modalities in haemodynamically stable patients. CTA is a non-invasive, swift, and adequate alternative to arteriography, providing valuable diagnostic information on vascular and aerodigestive injuries and bullet trajectory. This enables appropriate preparedness to achieve excellent outcomes in such critical cases.